OUTGOING Donaghadee Golf Club’s lady captain, Cynthia Smith’s charity for her year was Brainwaves NI and over £11,500 was raised for much needed local research into brain cancer.
Speaking at the club’s annual general meeting last week, Cynthia said: “I am really grateful for the generosity and for all the support I received during the year to raise such a fantastic amount for a cause close to my heart.
“Together with the help of club volunteers and support from far and wide, over £11,500 was raised for Brainwaves NI in memory of my niece, Cynthia Jayne Dunwoody, a talented young golfer who sadly died in 2022 as a result of a brain tumour.”
Cynthia added: “And more thanks go to my sponsors, Nigel Smith Dental Care and Charles Hurst (Toyota) Ltd who put their hands in their pockets and provided sponsorship for my charity Open Golf Competitions.
“During the year the Ladies’ Section also raised much needed funds for other charities totalling over £3,300, including Cancer Research UK, RNLI, Action Cancer and the British Heart Foundation NI. Events included a bridge drive, Hallowe’en tarts and the ‘Your Heart Matters’ event supporting BHF NI.
“It’s been an amazing year for me and Donaghadee ladies can be proud of their charity work which will continue next year 2024/25 supporting the British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland.
Lady president, Rosemary Campbell, also chose Brainwaves NI as her charity.
She said: “Sadly brain tumours have affected some of our members, their families and their friends and I want to thank everyone who generously supported Brainwaves NI by helping to organise events, buying a ticket, or playing in a charity competition.”
Chair of Brainwaves NI, Colin McMillan, thanked Cynthia for choosing Brainwaves NI as her charity.
He said: “I am really grateful to Cynthia and to everyone who helped raise this phenomenal amount. It will help Brainwaves NI continue its funding of three PhD research students at the Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research at Queen’s University in Belfast. In addition, the money will also help provide valuable support for our members.
“Brainwaves NI marks its 30th anniversary this year. It is Northern Ireland’s only volunteer-led brain tumour charity. Thanks to the help of Donaghadee Golf Club we have raised our public profile and now more people understand what Brainwaves NI does and why our work is so important.”
