Shanklin & Sandown rises to the challenge

Golfers at an Isle of Wight golf club have raised an impressive £2,081 to purchase a life-saving defibrillator in support of the Bernard Gallacher Defibrillator Campaign.

Shanklin & Sandown Golf Club staged a week’s worth of golf competitions which were supported by members and visitors from other clubs on the island.

A 60s night with David Graham, a club member and former guitarist with The Tornadoes, teed off the fundraising while around £1,300 was generated by the competitions.

Head PGA Professional Peter Hammond donated prizes including a SkyCaddie watch and Adidas Tour360 ATV Golf Shoes for a grand draw raffle while the Defibrillator Golf Challenge concluded with a joint captains' dinner/dance.

Club captain Brian Porter, who suffered a similar cardiac arrest to the one that nearly killed Gallacher last year, threw down the gauntlet to his club after being inspired to stage the fundraising competitions by reading about the ex-Ryder Cup captain’s ambitions to try and put a defibrillator in every golf club in the UK.

** Brian Porter, left, with Louise Walker and Peter Hammond.

With defibrillators costing in the region of £800-£1,000 Shanklin is also exploring the idea of purchasing a second one after talks with local ambulance service which would become a public access defibrillator.

“When we first discussed the idea I thought it would take several months to raise the money. I am absolutely stunned, not only by the amount raised, but the fact it only took four weeks to do,” said Porter.

“We had a week towards of golf competitions, ladies, men’s and seniors and open competitions in which we invited other clubs to play, and they didn’t pay a green fee just a contribution to the challenge.

“I think because we had such a wet winter and only started to play again recently it was very well received and this was the first week our course was fully open.

“We had more than 100 entries from our own members and in the mid week we had 67 people in total including 20 visitors.

“The winners received four ball vouchers on the mainland while visitors received four ball vouchers to play another round at Shanklin.”

Louise Walker, commercial and community manager for IW Ambulance Service, presented the club with its defibrillator, commenting: “We completely support Shanklin & Sandown Golf Club’s decision to purchase a defibrillator, the club has worked incredibly hard to raise the funds and their determination and enthusiasm is commendable.

‘Sadly, Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) can happen to anyone at any time. A defibrillator is a lifesaving piece of equipment. For every minute we delay defibrillation in the patient that requires it, their chance of survival can decrease by 14 per cent.

"Out of hospital cardiac arrest survival rates are around five per cent but since the introduction of community defibrillators some areas have seen survival rates increase to as much as 74 per cent.”

Porter added: “As the captain of Shanklin & Sandown Golf Club, I am looking forward to working with island clubs that have expressed an interest and want to start their own Bernard Gallacher Challenge Campaign.”

Golf clubs can still register with the Bernard Gallacher Difbrillator Campaign. More details here.