25th anniversary event raises £9K for Neonatal unit
Leeds Neonatal Services, part of the Leeds Children’s Hospital is to benefit from a generous donation by Allied Irish Bank (GB), which has raised another £9K for the unit following a popular charity golf day, taking the total raised to date for the unit to over £220K.
The Niamh Rutherford Golf Classic is celebrating its 25th anniversary and was attended recently by 120 golfers consisting of clients and professionals from across the Leeds business community. The funds raised will contribute towards much needed medical equipment for sick and premature babies born in the region.
Held at Leeds Golf Club, the charity golf day was first held as a one-off event in 1993. Set up originally by Mr Pat McCabe following the Unit’s successful treatment of his granddaughter, Niamh, the event proved such an enjoyable and worthwhile way of raising funds that it is now a firm fixture on the local golfing calendar. Golfers play to win the Pat McCabe Memorial Trophy, honouring the life of its founder who sadly passed away a few years ago. This year’s winners were the Gordons LLP team consisting of Paul Young, Richard Piper, Chris Booth, and Richard Merrills.
Now aged 26, the event’s namesake Niamh Rutherford, attended the golf day and presented this year’s cheque to Dr Lawrence Miall from Leeds Neonatal Services.
Dr Lawrence Miall, Consultant Neonatologist at Leeds Neonatal Services said
“We really appreciate the support that the Allied Irish Bank (GB) and the Niamh Rutherford Golf Classic have given to the neonatal units in Leeds over the last 25 years. It has allowed us to purchase a wide range of cutting-edge equipment and means we can provide the premature and poorly babies that we treat with the latest equipment as soon as possible. Over the last 25 years the outcome for the most premature babies has improved dramatically and it is in no small part due to the support we receive from the community, especially this event. It is a pleasure to see Niamh as a happy and healthy young adult having been treated in the Leeds Neonatal Service so many years ago.”
Siobhan McGarry, Relationship Manager at Allied Irish Bank (GB) said: “Leeds Neonatal Services provide vital care and support for premature babies throughout the region, and we are delighted to continue our backing of such a fantastic cause. Our staff, customers and associates have done a great job in organising and supporting this event over the last 25 years, and raising a significant amount of money, exceeding all expectations of this event which was originally arranged as a one-off fundraiser. We are delighted the funds are being used to support the purchase and maintenance of essential medical equipment which has benefited hundreds of premature babies over the last two decades and to assist many more in the future.”
