Fundraising is in full swing for a family who have raised more than £100,000 for Derian House Children’s Hospice over a quarter of a century.
Ken Duncan, 85, the former owner of Duncan’s Menswear on Fishergate, Preston, and his son-in-law, Lee Duncan have jointly organised a popular charity golf day every year since 1997.
And this summer’s popular event has taken their fundraising total to £100,000.
“I was inspired to fundraise for Derian House after my eldest daughter, Elizabeth, was diagnosed with meningitis at three months old,” said Ken.
“Things weren’t as advanced during that time, and me and my wife Barbara went through hell for three years. Thankfully, everything was all right in the end – and Elizabeth has just recently turned 60. I am so very grateful.
“After that, I knew I had to give something back for families who might not be as lucky. And so, every year since, apart from COVID, we have held a charity golf day to raise money for the children and families of Derian House.”
The event was first held in summer 1997, three years after Derian House opened, and will celebrate its 25th year running in 2024.
Duncan’s charity golf day sees 100 golfers take part in an 18-hole competition, followed by a three course evening meal, a presentation of prizes, a charity raffle and auction.
“The golf days are great fun – there is a brilliant atmosphere,” said Ken.
“There is always a lot of laughter – we usually have good weather too. We have bacon butties on arrival, and then we play 18 holes of golf. We have a dinner in the evening and later on, we have an auction and a raffle – and that’s where we raise the money. Lots of people contribute to the event and donate prizes.”
The event has been sponsored by investment management company, Canaccord Genuity for the past five years, and the competition trophies, engraved with the Derian House logo, are all supplied for free thanks to David Carr of Carrs Jewellers, of Garstang.
Donations of other prizes include a brand-new car, courtesy of Nissan Chorley Group if any of the golfers get a ‘hole in one’. For those who get the ‘longest drive’ or ‘nearest the pin’, they win a £50 voucher donated by Slaters Menswear.
“Everyone who sponsors the event and gets involved have been brilliant over the years – there are many local businesses who sponsor individual holes too,” continued Ken.
“I can’t thank them enough for everything they have done. It is worth it for such a worthwhile charity. I have been to visit Derian House a few times. The hospice is much bigger than it used to be, and there have been a lot of changes over the years. I think it looks lovely – it is important that it’s bright and colourful. It’s a nice place to be for the children and their families.”
The 25th Duncan’s charity golf day for Derian House will take place in the summer of 2024.
Kerry Pritchard, Community Fundraiser at Derian House, said: “What an amazing amount of money raised by Ken and Lee in their legendary charity golf day – we are so grateful for all the effort they – and everyone who has been involved – have put in over the years.
“To have been raising vital funds for us for almost 25 years is an enormous achievement – it all makes a huge difference to our children and families.
“It cost £6million to run services at Derian House in 2023, and so we rely heavily on our incredibly generous and kind-hearted supporters who put their all into running events like this one.”
Derian House Children’s Hospice cares for more than 400 babies, children and young people as well as their families.
