Golf club captain’s fundraisers will support project helping Swansea’s poorest children

Clyne Golf Club captain Richard Davies has nominated Faith in Families as his chosen charity for the year and is arranging a Captain’s golf day on June 30 and a Captain’s charity night on July 22 to help raise money for the charity.

Richard will be raising funds for Faith in Families’ St Margarets project, which is transforming St Margaret’s Church in Bonymaen into a community centre for families. The church, which was gifted to the charity by the Church in Wales, will offer childcare, an after-school club, a food bank and more.

“I was born and brought up in the Bonymaen area and know St Margaret’s well,” said Richard. “I went to the youth club there and used to be dragged along to church there by my mother. My mother was very active in the parish – she went to St Margaret’s and St Peter’s and was a member of the Mothers Union. I am very keen to support the great work Faith in Families do with people in Bonymaen.”

Richard’s fundraising efforts aim to help move the project forward so it can support as many children living in poverty as possible.

“We are absolutely delighted that Richard has used his close links to our project in Bonymaen to raise awareness of our charity and the impact we have at the same time as raising vital funds and bringing in relevant connections to fulfil the vision of this project,” said Faith in Families CEO Cherrie Bija.

“There are nearly 18,000 children living in serious poverty in Swansea and the situation is worsening due to the cost of living crisis. We live on one of the most amazing coastlines yet there are children in this area who have never put their feet on the sand or in the sea.  We have an abundance of food in this city, wonderful restaurants, bars and places that people can, yet there are children going hungry in this city. Children are hiding hamburgers in their pockets to take home to their mums because they know Mum’s hungry.

“This is 2023 in Swansea, and these children are our future. They deserve a better childhood, and they have the right not only to survive but to thrive. Faith in Families challenges the norms that many families in poverty have become stuck with, working to bring hope, laughter and compassion to hundreds of children’s lives every week.”

The Captain’s Charity Day on June 30 just one of several ways Richard plans to raise money for the project. Richard hopes to get around 30 teams of four golfers to play at the event, which is being sponsored with a £500 donation from Swansea Building Society. The cost to play is £30 a head and all money paid will go to Faith in Families. A meal will be provided and there will be an auction and raffle to raise further money.

Jane Parker, area manager Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot for Swansea Building Society said:

“Swansea Building Society are delighted to offer sponsorship towards this fundraising event at Clyne Golf Club. Faith in Families is a charity the Society holds close to their heart and are always keen to support.  With my personal involvement as a Trustee, I am delighted to be working with Cherrie and the other Trustees in securing a better future for the children in our communities by raising awareness throughout the business community.  I would like to wish Richard and his Team the best of luck for the day which I am sure will prove to be a huge success.”

Richard has also organised a games night at the golf club on July 22, with all proceeds going to Faith in Families, and he will be running an Eclectic Golf competition throughout the season, with all entrance fees going to the charity.

“Throughout the year I will be organising raffles to raise further funds, and I’m always open to other ideas to raise more money,” he said. “I am very aware of the great work Faith in Families does in Swansea. I’ve heard a lot about them from friends who have been involved with them. I worked for many years in the social housing and social care sector so know how critical the work organisations such as Faith in Families do and how important additional resources can be to them.”

Entry forms for the gold day are available from manager@clynegolfclub.com. Please title e-mail Captain’s Charity Day.