FIFTY-two businessmen and women have signed up to a charity golf match near Bournemouth for bereaved children.

The 18-hole event, being held at the Dudsbury Golf Club at Ferndown, is to benefit the work of Mosaic.

Mosaic is a Dorset-wide charity which provides counselling and support for children, young people and their families who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or loved one.

Rob Ward, a Mosaic volunteer who works for RBS, is organising the September 24 event with Mosaic fundraiser Katie Hensman.

He said: "We've already had 52 people signed up so far, creating 13 teams of four. The maximum we can have is 16 teams, so we are just looking for three more teams to make the event a sell-out.

"We're also offering sponsorship of the holes at £50 each. Three local companies have already stepped forward – solicitors Laceys, AMS Cleaning and press office specialist Deep South Media."

Around 41,000 children under the age of 18 are bereaved of a parent in the UK each year.

Katie Hensman, based at Mosaic's office in Milborne St Andrew, near Blandford, said: “A residential weekend for up to 25 bereaved children costs in the region of £5,500 and it would be great if we could achieve that amount on the day. As well as raising money for a good cause, the event is also a chance for informal networking."

Entry fee is £230 per team. No handicap is required in the scoring competition, which is followed by a rolling dinner, raffle and prize ceremony.

Competitions include beat the pro, nearest the pin and putting.

To book a team, or to donate a raffle prize, please email katie@mosaicfamilysupport.org