£25k raised at the Time to Talk West Berkshire charity golf day at Donnington Grove Golf Club

Around £25,000 has been raised for a West Berkshire children’s mental health charity, after it hosted its annual golf day and auction.

More than 100 people, in teams of four, battled it out in the Time to Talk West Berkshire Golf Day at Donnington Grove on April 20.

This year the teams were competing for the John Foster Cup, named in memory of one of the charity’s “amazing trustees”, a keen golfer who died at the end of last year.

At the end of the day Clere’d for Golf, headed up by Paul Homersham, picked up the inaugural John Foster Cup.

The day also offered the chance for Time to Talk – a mental health charity that provides counselling services for young people aged 11 to 25 – to thank its outgoing chair, Georgina Punter, and welcome the new, Geoff Hogg.

Amanda Hatcher, trustee of the charity, said the event was now a “firm fixture” on the calendar.

“It looks like we will have made in the region of £25k from the golf day and online auction so our thanks to all those that kindly made this possible – from donated prizes, sponsorships, volunteering their time and participating out on the golf course,” she added.

“The charity is incredibly grateful to our outgoing chair, Georgina Punter, who led us through three, extremely difficult but very rewarding years and thank her for her tireless work she has done at the helm.”

Mr Hogg brings with him a wealth of experience, having previously held the role of chair for the Newbury Family Counselling Service.

“The event honoured John Foster one of our highly valued trustees that we sadly lost at the end of last year,” added Mrs Hatcher.

“Therefore, it was a fitting tribute that from this year teams compete for the John Foster Cup to keep his memory close as he thoroughly enjoyed time out on the golf course himself to relax. He is greatly missed by all those fortunate enough to have known him.

“In his acceptance speech [Paul Homersham] very kindly thanked us as a charity for the impact we have on supporting the mental well-being of the young people and their families within our locality.

“Paul and his team at Clere Group have also been very kind supporters of Time to Talk for many years and these community relationships are so key for everybody.”