BATH Golf Club has helped local charity Jessie May get the year off to a good start with a generous donation of almost £6,000.

Captains at the golf club chose Jessie May as Charity of the Year for 2015 and held numerous fundraisers throughout the year, to raise vital cash for the charity which supports children with terminal illnesses in Bath, Bristol, Wiltshire, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

Fundraisers, organised by men’s captain Roger Williams, women’s captain Anita Bye and seniors captain Tony Jones, included Captain’s Days, charity lunches, raffles and forfeits for balls stuck in the bunker, all of which raised a total of £5,910.53.

Men’s captain Roger Williams said: “After being elected Club Captain I attended the launch of Jessie May in Bath, back in September 2014, looking to see if this would be a suitable and worthwhile charity to support.

“It proved to be a mind-blowing experience after hearing and seeing first hand the dedicated work and enthusiasm of this fantastic organisation.

“I think the amount raised shows how all the members of the golf club supported us and this amazing charity.”

Women’s Captain, Anita Bye said: “I could not have believed that our decision to support the charity in our year of office would have been met with such an amazing response.

“All our members were more than willing to help us reach this figure, their kindness and generosity matching the wonderful work the Jessie May team have undertaken.”

Jessie May provides a hospice at home service for terminally ill children, offering care to families in Bristol, Bath, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. It costs around £820,000 for the charity to provide this care yearly and Jessie May is almost entirely dependent on public support.

Jessie May community fundraiser Helen Mackie said: “Getting to know the Bath Golf Club captains has been an absolute joy and they have truly taken Jessie May to their hearts.

“Money raised through all their fundraising efforts will go towards providing our amazing Jessie May nurses for families who need respite breaks and medical care support for their seriously ill child.

“The support we provide makes all the difference to both the child and their family.”