Golfers turned out in force for an annual tournament which has raised more than a quarter of a million pounds for charity.

The St Teresa’s Hospice Golf Day, organised by Darlington business owners, Sally and Glenn Pickersgill, has raised more than £270,000 for the local end-of-life care charity since 2002.

This year, the event returned to Blackwell Grange Golf Club, attracting 22 teams and adding £16,461.40 to the total.

The Let 2 team get ready to play: Rupert Ferard, Tony Slack, Harry Wilmot, Michael BleasbyThe Let 2 team get ready to play: Rupert Ferard, Tony Slack, Harry Wilmot, Michael Bleasby (Image: Chris Barron)

Sally, who with her husband runs Heritage Healthcare, headquartered in Darlington, said: “St Teresa’s Hospice is a cause very close to our hearts. Working in the care industry, we see better than most people the difference having a local hospice makes to a community.

“Make no mistake, St Teresa’s Hospice represents a vital lifeline for people in our area, and we’re just so proud of and grateful to everyone who came together to achieve such a fantastic result for the charity.”

The tournament was won by the team from Dale Care Limited, consisting of Richard Parsons, Josh Marchant, Tony Stubbs, and Andre Malo.

Second place went to PWS Distributors Ltd., with the Dufell Roofing team taking third.

The winning team from Dale Care: Dale Care - Richard Parsons, Josh Marchant, Tony Stubbs, and Andre MaloThe winning team from Dale Care: Dale Care - Richard Parsons, Josh Marchant, Tony Stubbs, and Andrew Malo (Image: Chris Barron)

The Ladies’ Longest Drive was won by Barbara Riddell, from Dufell Roofing, while Jonathan Carter from Job-Ready Training and Recruitment won the Men’s contest.

Mark McCabe, playing for the Heritage Healthcare team, won the Nearest the Pin contest.

A charity raffle and auction further added funds to the total raised.

Sally Pickersgill, hospice chair of trustees Carol Charlton, Glenn Pickersgill, and hospice chief executive Nicola MyersSally Pickersgill, hospice chair of trustees Carol Charlton, Glenn Pickersgill, and hospice chief executive Nicola Myers (Image: Chris Barron) Nicola Myers, chief executive of St Teresa’s Hospice, said: “The Heritage Healthcare Golf Day is always a fantastic day, and Sally and Glenn’s dedication to St Teresa’s Hospice over the years has been truly inspiring. How many of us can say they’ve raised over a quarter of a million pounds for charity?

“I’d like to say such a big ‘thank you’ to them, and to everyone involved for making it such a fabulous event. It’s an incredible amount of money, which will and has had a massive impact in allowing us to continue providing compassionate, expert care to patients and families.”