Ten weeks, over 1,000 miles and an estimated quarter of a million golf shots. This is what former armed forces mountain craft trainer David Sullivan has in store when he embarks on The World’s Longest Golf Hole challenge on June 11.
Starting in John O’Groats in Scotland, the 58-year-old from Surrey will be walking between 14-30 miles every day until he reaches Land’s End in Cornwall — all the while, hitting a golf ball.
Sullivan is taking on this unusual challenge to raise vital funds for the British Heart Foundation. The money raised will help place life-saving defibrillators into villages, towns and cities up and down the country. At every one of the 70 stops on the mammoth journey, Sullivan will be training individuals how to save lives with CPR.
His passion for teaching CPR came about when he was faced with a life-or-death situation when a young man suffered a heart attack in front of him. David luckily knew what to do. He administered CPR for 17 minutes until the man could be treated with a defibrillator.
“It was thanks to my training, and a defibrillator being nearby, that I was able to help save the man, who luckily made a full recovery,” said Sullivan. “When something like that happens right in front of you, it makes you realise how precious life is and how important it is to know what to do in that kind of emergency. It was an experience which profoundly affected me, and now it’s my mission to create an army of life savers all over the country.”
Sullivan will be joined on the challenge by his son Freddie, 21, and hopes his charity challenge will help teach as many people as possible the life-saving skill of CPR and will ensure that many more locations in the country are equipped with defibrillators.
Golf equipment retailer American Golf is sponsoring the adventure, and the company’s CEO, Gary Favell, is delighted to be supporting such a worthwhile cause. He said: “When we heard about the incredible challenge David had set himself, we immediately wanted to lend American Golf’s support.
“David has found a way to harness his golfing prowess not only to highlight the importance of knowing CPR through his own personal experience, but to train people along his journey whilst raising funds for the British Heart Foundation – he is a true inspiration. American Golf champions inclusivity at every level, and we stand behind every player on their golfing journey – David’s is no exception, and we wish him every success on his mission.”
Donations can be made by visiting www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/david-sullivan-77. Companies wishing to get involved in helping to fund a defibrillator in their region should visit www.creatinglifesavers.com.