BARNSLEY Hospital Charity has been chosen as a golf club’s official fundraising beneficiary for the coming year.

Members of Sandhill Golf Club in Little Houghton opted to partner with the charity as Ian Banks, a former Barnsley FC player and 2024 captain of the golf club, wanted to support people with cancer, particularly men with prostate cancer.

Ian organised a celebrity golf day on August 22 to raise funds, which saw a visit from ex-footballer Dean Windass.

He said: “I am fundraising this year specially to support patients with prostate cancer - for very good reasons.

“We need to raise awareness and for men to go get checked out and not leave anything to chance.

“One in eight men will get this awful disease and a lot of the time there are no symptoms.

“I have a very dear friend who is going through chemo so it is close to my heart.

“The reason I put together the celebrity golf day was to raise awareness and get men to get themselves checked, and provide for others going through treatment.

“Many thanks to all the celebrities who gave their time and to all the people who signed up to play.”

The club’s fundraising will support Barnsley Hospital Charity’s cancer funds including The Well for Wellbeing.

This facility provides complementary therapies for cancer patients in Barnsley and hosts support groups and coffee mornings to bring patients together.

Jane Mills, charity development manager, added: “We are delighted to receive the support of Sandhill Golf Club.

“We’re looking forward to working with Ian and the club to support them in their fundraising efforts and also to help raise awareness of cancer with members and their families.”