Jan. 11, 2005– The Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) Tsunami Earthquake Appeal will be boosted by around £40,000 after the Leaderboard Group of golf courses offered free golf to fundraisers.

The group has a fine track record with fundraising and recently donated almost £30,000 for the BBC’s Children in Need appeal. All four courses within the group - Chart Hills (Kent), The Oxfordshire, Dale Hill (Sussex) and Sandford Springs (Hampshire) – are already planning fundraising golf days, which they anticipate will raise £20,000.

But the group’s owners, Paul and Jennifer Gibbons, have decided to go a step further in order to raise even more funds. Leaderboard golf courses are to give up two days a week, during February, absolutely free of green fees to any organization wishing to hold a golf day to raise funds for DEC Tsunami Earthquake Appeal.

Gibbons said: “This is a unique tragedy which has pulled at the heartstrings of everybody on the planet. Everybody wants to help in some way or other and we are fortunate in that we can offer a first-class facility for the use of active fundraisers, by way of a small contribution.

“It is an opportunity to appreciate what we take for granted while helping those less fortunate; an opportunity to play golf and dine in fine surroundings while raising money for a hugely worthwhile cause. I’m hoping many organizations will take us up on the offer.”

Leaderboard is making the offer to any company or organization, local or national, which can put together a group of between 40 and 100 golfers for their day. All that the companies will have to pay for on their day are food and beverages.

Gibbons added: “Although we cannot help with the selling of the teams, we can offer all organizers full use of the paperwork and materials needed to facilitate the event.

“We hope this idea will be leapt upon, not only by fundraisers, but by other golf courses who could offer their facilities in a similar way. Just imagine, if more golf clubs within the country became involved in this and offered their facilities in a similar way, how much more money will be raised for this worthwhile cause. It will be good for the golf industry to contribute as a unit in this manner.”

For a fact sheet, contact any of the Leaderboard clubs on the numbers shown below and find out how you, or your company, can help millions of people in Southeast Asia. Alternatively, you can visit www.charthills.co.uk and click on the DEC Tsunami logo to find out how simple it would be to organize the day.

Leaderboard courses will also offer a special auction prize of a complimentary four-ball at any chosen Leaderboard course, on the day, allowing the opportunity for increased fundraising.

Issued by Pete Richardson Communications Ltd.

•The Oxfordshire - tel: 01844 278300 – www.theoxfordshiregolfclub.com
•Sandford Springs - tel: 01635 296800 – www.sandfordspringsgolf.co.uk
•Chart Hills – tel: 01580 292222 – www.charthills.co.uk
•Dale Hill – tel: 01580 200112 – www.dalehill.co.uk

For more information or pictures of any of the Leaderboard courses please contact Pete Richardson, Dave Bowers or Lee Todd on 08700 330 550 or 07786 238920.