From Fairways to Families: Captain Ian Smyth Raises Over £4,400 for Martin House

At Drax Golf Club, we believe that the spirit of the game extends far beyond the final green. Nothing exemplifies this more than the dedication shown by our 2025 Club Captain, Ian Smyth, who spent his 12-month tenure championing a cause very close to our hearts.

Yesterday, the Drax community gathered for a heart-warming milestone: the official cheque presentation to Martin House Children’s Hospice.

A Year of Purpose

Throughout his captaincy, Ian set out with a clear mission to leverage our club’s passion for golf into tangible support for those in need. From charity ponds and raffles to special tournament days, the generosity of our members and guests was on full display.

Thanks to that collective effort, Ian was able to hand over a magnificent total of £4,455.00.

Supporting Martin House

Martin House is a cornerstone of care in our region, providing specialist palliative care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions. Based in Boston Spa, they support families across West, North, and East Yorkshire during their most challenging times.

The funds raised will go directly toward:

• Respite care to give families a much-needed break.

• Symptom control and emergency care.

• Bereavement support for families navigating loss.

"The kindness shown by the members at Drax has been overwhelming," Ian remarked during the handover. "Knowing this money will help families create precious memories makes every event and every donation worth it."

A Huge Thank You

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Ian Smyth for his tireless leadership over the past year, and to every single person who put change in a collection box or bid in an auction. It is this community spirit that makes Drax Golf Club such a special place to play.

To learn more about the incredible work being done at Martin House, or to see how you can help, visit their website at www.martinhouse.org.uk.