Earlier this summer, eight amateur golfers embarked on their greatest physical challenge yet – Project 24 – which involved playing golf non-stop for 24 hours in the perpetual sunlight and stormy conditions of Norway. The goal was to raise funds for The Golf Trust and provide more disabled individuals with the opportunity to play golf.
The team surpassed their initial target of £24,000, raising over £42,000. This week, two brand new Paragolfers were delivered to Walmley Golf Club near Birmingham and Roehampton Golf Club in London, providing users with life-changing opportunities to play golf. A Paragolfer is a specialist vehicle that allows individuals with spinal injuries the transformative experience of standing up to play golf.
A documentary following the group’s journey will air on Sky Sports Golf at 8pm on Monday, October 14, before becoming available on catch-up and hosted on Reflo’s YouTube channel here.
Led by The Golf Trust and supported by sustainable performancewear brand Reflo, the team set off on the 20th of June to complete the seemingly impossible task of playing continuous rounds of golf under severe weather conditions at one of Norway’s most scenic yet physically demanding courses.
For a brief period each year, the Midnight Sun transforms the famous Lofoten Links golf course into a 24-hour sunlit wonder, offering the team a bright but challenging environment. Despite the constant daylight, the disruption to their natural daily rhythms proved difficult and the team battled both mentally and physically, walking over 50,000 steps each as they played through the night without sleep or breaks.
Alongside the documentary, Reflo released a limited-edition capsule collection to coincide with the project, donating 50% of its profits directly to Project 24 to continue supporting disabled golfers.
Rory MacFadyen, co-founder of Reflo and one of the eight participants, said: “While it was a physically demanding project, there was so much to love about this challenge; the spirit of togetherness, the camaraderie, the beautiful location, and of course, the lasting impact the fundraising will make.”
“Golf can mean so many things to so many people. It encourages mindfulness, offering a peaceful escape. While walking the course and swinging the club provides great physical benefits, the social aspect of playing with friends or in groups creates a sense of community. Golf has been my personal therapy, and I’m thrilled to offer others the chance to benefit from this great sport. That’s why it was a no-brainer for Reflo to support this challenge and help raise funds for disabled individuals to experience the same.”
Cae Menai-Davis, founder of The Golf Trust and leader of Project 24, added: “The initial goal of Project 24 was to purchase one Paragolfer. However, with the support and momentum generated by playing golf for 24 hours, we’ve managed to do so much more. Paragolfers change lives—not only for the people using them but for their families and friends as well. The impact this equipment has is truly life-changing, and we are excited to see the joy and opportunities this fundraising will bring.”
“We are humbled by the tremendous support throughout this challenge. Rory and his team at Reflo have been incredible. Not only did they join us in raising funds, but they also collaborated with us on a capsule collection that continued to raise money for Project 24. While completing the 24-hour challenge may have felt like closing one chapter, it’s the beginning of something significant for disabled golf in the UK, and I am forever grateful.”
Justin Levene, a Paragolfer user and trustee of The Golf Trust, shared: “I have been fortunate to have had access to a Paragolfer for nearly 10 years. The cost of equipment in disability sports is prohibitively expensive, often acting as one of the biggest barriers to participation.”
“The work done by fundraisers, in partnership with The Golf Trust, allows people like me to be active and enjoy sports. The Paragolfer not only gives me a new perspective on life but also lets me experience environments I had only ever seen from a seated position. I could even hug my girlfriend while standing for the first time.”
“This transformative experience has been made possible through the tireless efforts of Cae Menai-Davis and The Golf Trust. Their work has empowered countless lives, and with the success of Project 24, even more people will benefit.”