GOLFERS teed off to raise £40,000 for disabled youngsters after taking part in a special event in East Dorset.

The 33rd annual Peter Alliss Invitational Charity Golf Day, which is the longest-running golf charity event in the south, took place at Ferndown Golf Club.

The event is named after former English professional golfer and television presenter Peter Alliss who is regarded as the “voice of golf” on the BBC.

Since its inception in 1987, the event has raised more than £1.25 million for the Peter Alliss Wheelchair Crusade leading to the purchase of more than 300 wheelchairs and walking aids.

Money was also raised for the charities nominated by the club’s two captains which were High Mead Farm and Macmillan Caring Locally.

Peter Alliss, whose family link with Ferndown stretches back to 1939, said: “I am astounded every year at the amount of money raised by this fine event – and 2019 proved no different.”

Club Captain Matt Fleming said: “This is our most important charity day of the year – and because it supports the provision of earmarked purchases for specific disabled youngsters we can all see the results of our efforts.

“Next March’s lunchtime presentation will be a very special event and I doubt there’ll be a dry eye in the house when our nominated young recipients from local special schools come along to say hello and receive their much-needed walking aids.”

A total of 28 teams took part in the event on the club’s Championship Course.

Among the players this year was Ferndown Golf Club’s own Hayley Davis, who last month won her first professional title, the Bossey Ladies Championship in France and also made her major debut at the US Ladies Open this summer.

The Invatrust team, led by club member David Harris and featuring James Tarbuck, son of Jimmy, emerged as winners.