A GOLFERS' fundraising drive to support a lifesaving children's cancer trial reaped a total of £4,000.

A special event was staged for the second time at Bury Golf Club to support the Lancashire-based Petal children's cancer charity, which has raised more than £1 million for Professor Jillian Birch’s trials at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital over the last decade.

The club was keen to help generate funds for groundbreaking trials into neuroblastoma in children and young people, being led by Dr Martin Elliott and his team at St James Hospital, Leeds.

The event was organised by club vice chairman, Dennis Taylor who, along with his wife Anne, has been inspired by the work of the charity's seven-strong ladies committee who hold fundraising activities throughout the year.

Mr Taylor said: “ No–one who has spent five minutes with these seven amazing women can fail to be inspired to do something to raise funds for this lifesaving cause. I am indebted to the Bury Times for their support in raising awareness of the project and helping us secure business and individual sponsorship on the day.

"Huge thanks also go to Bury Golf Club who generously gave the course free to Petal once again. Neuroblastoma is a rare cancer which mainly affects children under five and already survival rates are improving thanks to the brilliance of Jillian and Martin’s teams and the generous lifesaving support of all our sponsors."

The Bury Golf Club fundraiser attracted entrants from all over the North West , with the team event won by Bury’s Andy Wisedale, Bob Hargreaves, Kevin Critchlow and Gary Bradley with Ken Brown, Sid Hyams, Peter Whittle and guest Jonathan Ward in second place. Event sponsors Atrium Financial Services' team of Matt and Stan Horne, Steve Bracegirdle and Paul Haughton were third.

Wes Dickens saw off the challenge of Dave Bell to win the Bury individual prize with Jonathan Ward pipping Alex Mendoros to the visitors' individual title. Longest drive went to Rick Boyd, of Bury, and nearest to the pin to John Coulthard.

The ladies individual prize went to Bury and District Golf Association secretary Dot Scholes who pipped Bury lady captain Annette Gale. But Annette gained some revenge by winning the putting competition. Andy Sharp picked up the men's putting prize.

The cheque for £4,000 was handed over to Petal by Mr and Mrs Taylor at a charity lunch in Skipton.