Golf. It’s the game that has us cursing at our clubs one minute and singing their praises the next.
Now, imagine taking that emotional rollercoaster and multiplying it by four. That’s precisely what Brighton buddies Lee Middleton and Shane Dilloway-Thompson are gearing up to do.
On Friday, 21st June, these two intrepid souls will embark on a marathon-like golf challenge, aiming to complete 72 holes in a single day at the East Brighton Golf Club.
They’ll start swinging at 5:30 am and aim to sink their final putt by 8:30 pm, all to raise money for special care babies.
Walking a Marathon with Clubs
“It is the equivalent of walking a marathon before even swinging a club,” Lee Middleton remarks with a mix of excitement and trepidation.
To add to the grueling nature of the challenge, they’ve set a rule: no buggies. Every step, every swing, every putt will be powered by their own two feet.
This isn’t just a test of their golfing prowess; it’s an endurance challenge of the highest order.
A Cause Close to Heart
Both Lee and Shane have chosen to support New Life Special Care Babies, a charity dedicated to raising money for specialist neonatal equipment for hospitals across the South of England.
Lee’s connection to this cause is deeply personal. He first learned about the charity through Trevor Goodall, the CEO and Founder, whose own heartbreaking experience led to the creation of New Life.
Trevor’s twin boys, Joshua and Samuel, were born prematurely at 24 weeks and tragically passed away a week later.
This profound loss has fueled Trevor’s mission to support other families facing similar struggles.
“I have been supporting New Life now for around 10 years,” Lee explains. “I think the first event I attended was the charity ball, which was a great evening and has been replicated annually since then.”
The Ultimate Golf Challenge
Lee and Shane are both avid golfers. For them, a 72-hole challenge represents the ultimate test of their skills and stamina.
They’ve been rigorously preparing, gradually increasing their endurance by playing up to 27 holes in one day.
“72 holes is going to be a huge challenge for us,” says Lee. “But knowing we are raising lots of money for specialist neonatal equipment will be a great motivator.”
“There is such a lack of funding in this area, so any difference we can make to support Trevor and his amazing work each year is worth it.”
“His story is very sad, and I would like to help as many families as possible of premature babies in the future.”
Community Support and Fundraising
The community’s response has been overwhelmingly positive. Lee’s network of friends and family have rallied behind him, supporting various fundraising efforts for New Life.
Last year, Lee participated in a triathlon to raise funds, demonstrating his dedication to the cause.
This year, Lee’s workplace, Picture More Recruitment, has chosen New Life as its charity of the year, aiming to raise at least £1,000 through bake sales, charity walks, and other events.
For those inspired by Lee and Shane’s efforts, a JustGiving link has been set up to collect donations.
Visit justgiving.com/campaign/72holesoneday to contribute to this noble cause.
Every penny raised will go towards buying specialist neonatal equipment, making a tangible difference in the lives of premature babies and their families.
A Day to Remember
As the sun rises over East Brighton Golf Club on June 21st, Lee and Shane will begin a journey that’s about much more than golf.
It’s about endurance, community, and the drive to make a difference. Their 72-hole challenge is a testament to the power of passion and the impact of sports in supporting noble causes.
So, let’s cheer them on, support their cause, and perhaps take a leaf out of their book to make our own contributions to the world around us.
After all, in the words of the great Bobby Jones, “Golf is the closest game to the game we call life.”
