While Captain Colin Montgomerie and his men were edging their way to a thrilling 14½-13½ victory over the United States, fundraising schemes and initiatives were in full swing at The Celtic Manor Resort, accumulating a seven-figure sum to benefit numerous charities.
It was not just during Ryder Cup week that the charitable funds were accrued; indeed, the grand total is the result of years of hard work and dedication.
Soon after it was announced The 2010 Ryder Cup would be played at The Celtic Manor Resort in the City of Newport, Welsh cancer charity Tenovus was named the Official Charity for Ryder Cup Wales, later becoming National Charity for The 2010 Ryder Cup.
More recently when Colin Montgomerie was appointed as Europe’s Captain, he nominated The Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation as his chosen Captain’s Charity. Colin founded in charity in memory of his mother, who died of lung cancer in 1991 aged just 52.
The Foundation supports those affected by cancer and improves the lives of patients and their families, and is constructing Elizabeth Montgomerie building, in conjunction with Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre, at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie, which is due to open in 2012. The charity has benefitted from nearly €200,000 from its 18 month association with The 2010 Ryder Cup to enable it to continue its support of those affected by cancer.
The Ryder Cup came to Wales for the first time in 2010 and chose Tenovus, Wales’ leading cancer charity as its partner. Tenovus’ aims are simple: to help prevent, treat and find a cure for cancer. Tenovus brings care, treatment, advice and learning to the heart of people’s communities offering support to patients, families and carers where and when they need it most.
Tenovus’ Mobile Cancer Support Unit was designed to deliver a holistic service to patients in their community and provides cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, health checks, financial and emotional support.
The Unit officially opened in February 2009 at the home of the 2010 Ryder Cup and has provided over 2,000 cancer treatments to patients drastically reducing patients’ journey times.
In its six-year association with The 2010 Ryder Cup, the charity raised a total just short of €1.4 million, from initiatives such as taking the Samuel Ryder Trophy on a helicopter tour of golf clubs around Wales, corporate golf days, auctions and generous donations from numerous events.
The Fanvision initiative, sponsored by Ryder Cup Partner Citi, was hugely successful during the week at The Celtic Manor Resort, raising more than €50,000 shared between the EMF and Tenovus and enhancing spectators’ Ryder Cup experience. The handheld video and media device, allowing people to follow live action and highlights from anywhere on the course and keep up to date with scores and statistics, was available to all for a minimum €6 donation, with each donation matched by Citi, who also covered the costs of the operation.
Ryder Cup Director Richard Hills said: “Charity is an important cornerstone of The Ryder Cup programme and we are pleased that the fundraising initiatives which were implemented for the 2010 match have been able to benefit a wide range of charities.
“The decision by Ryder Cup Wales 2010 to partner Tenovus, Wales’ leading cancer charity, was an inspired choice and it is reassuring to know that, over a six-year association with Ryder Cup Europe, Tenovus raised almost €1.4 million to support the marvellous work undertaken by the organisation in the treatment and prevention of cancer.
“Colin Montgomerie nominated the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation as the chosen Captain’s Charity, raising almost €200,000 for a cause in memory of his beloved mother, while we are delighted that more than 50 other charities will derive support from the variety of charitable initiatives undertaken prior to and during The 2010 Ryder Cup. ”
Tenovus Chief Executive, Claudia McVie said: “Since being nominated as the official charity partner of Ryder Cup Wales 2010 in 2004, we have raised in the region of €1.4 million which has directly supported the lifesaving work we do in the community and helped us to develop innovative, patient-focused cancer services such as our Mobile Cancer Support Unit.
“The funds raised through the partnership will allow us to continue our work supporting those who are affected by cancer through our dedicated Cancer Support Team who offer entitlements advice, counselling and emotional support, as well as extending our research into cancer treatments, cures and preventions.”
Lucinda Rivers, Director of the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation, said: “Our association with The Ryder Cup was a turning point for the charity. We not only raised a significant amount towards our target but we were also able to use the association to raise our profile, which is important for a new charity. Winning The Ryder Cup was the greatest moment of Colin’s professional career, but knowing that the match was raising money to help his charity made it even more special for him.
“We are all so grateful to George O’Grady (European Tour Chief Executive), Richard Hills (Ryder Cup Director) and Ryder Cup Europe for their support.”
Fifty-two other charities also felt the benefit of the biennial competition through the donation of Ryder Cup tickets to aid their own fundraising, amassing more than €245,000 of the grand total.
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