Debby’s golf day and barn bash a big success
A Ryder Cup style tournament and Party in the Barn at Newton St Cyres Golf Club has raised more than £4,000 for our charity.
It was organised by Debby Ashmore, who did a tremendous job of pulling the whole event together in around six weeks.
Debby lost her husband Will to cancer at Christmas. She wanted to repay FORCE for the help and support they had received.
“We didn’t know anything about cancer until Will was diagnosed and when we spoke to Keith Mitchell (a senior matron in oncology services at the RD&E, Wonford) he told us all about FORCE,” said Debby.
“After diagnosis it was all a bit of a whirlwind but FORCE helped us in so many ways. I don’t know what we would have done without them,” she added.
Debby is employed at the golf club, owned by her mum, Anne Westaway.
She and Will, who also worked there, were married in a large barn that doubles as a workshop for maintenance equipment.
It was converted into a wonderful wedding venue for their special day and inspired Debby to use it again for her charity fundraiser.
“Organising this golf day and the party in the barn has really helped me,” said Debby. “Being able to do something that helps other people feels so good.”
Twenty players signed up for the golf tournament and around 180 people enjoyed the evening bash with live music and plenty of good food and drink.
Debby hoped to raise £1,000 but local businesses were so generous in donating items for the party and an auction and there was such great support from all those who attended that she more than quadrupled her target figure.
The final donation to FORCE was 4153.90.
“So many people helped us. It was brilliant a real community effort,” said Debby.
The whole day proved such a success that she is already planning to stage another one in 2016 with July 30 the provisional date.
