The inaugural Harry Redknapp’s All Star HEROS Golf Day saw footballing and sporting greats come together with members of the public to raise money for HEROS Charity, which provides learning opportunities for children with special needs working with retired racehorses.
A total of 22 teams, featuring one celebrity in each team, took to the fairways at Ferndown Golf Club in Dorset and a fantastic day of golf, after which competitors returned to the clubhouse for a lively dinner, auction, and the prize giving.
The team event was won with 94 points by the four-ball comprising former Stoke City, Crystal Palace, West Brom and Sheffield Wednesday manager Tony Pulis, and his partners Dave Barratt, James Bidwell and Steve Brander.
Second place was won on countback with 89 points by the team featuring Paul Walsh, Harry Shaw, Luke Ansell and Simon Watson, with third place going to the team comprising former Bath and England Rugby centre Jeremy Guscott, Peter Youell, Ben Davis and Richard Parker.
There were also prizes for Nearest the Pin and Longest Drive, with both competitions being generously sponsored by Skechers and prizes kindly provided by Yumax Golf and golftrophy.co.uk.
Nearest the Pin went to racehorse trainer John Flint and it was another racing victory for Longest Drive, with trainer Fergal O’Brien’s Assistant Charlie St Quinton claiming the prize.
In 2015, HEROS diversified and started HEROS Education and now welcomes up to 70 students aged between 11-16 a week with Special Educational Needs (SEN) on their Enrichment Programme.
They also run a post 16 Diploma courses in Horse Care and Animal Care for SEN students with EHCPs, with a view to finding them relevant jobs at the end of it. HEROS uses former racehorses as a catalyst to spark inspiration into SEN students. The synergy in educating both horses and students is a unique model that works brilliantly well for both.
The money raised at Harry Redknapp’s All Star HEROS Golf Day will contribute to the funding of converting existing buildings at HEROS into a new Education Centre, which will enable HEROS to offer up to 120 places per week on the Enrichment Programme, to further meet the demand of SEN students in South Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.
Harry Redknapp commented: ‘I am delighted to be a patron of HEROS, I really admire the work they do for both former racehorses and young people. It was a pleasure to work with them on our first golf day together and great to see so many of my old muckers out playing golf.
“I hope we can build on what was a great day and continue to raise awareness and the vital funds the charity needs to continue their fantastic work.”
HEROS CEO Grace Muir commented: ‘We are so pleased with how Harry Redknapp’s All Star HEROS went for our first year. For us it was fantastic to see so many new faces at one of our events, enabling us to spread the HEROS message further.
“A special thanks to Harry and all the celebrities who gave up their time to support the day and thank you to all our sponsors and of course the players. I feel sure to say a wonderful day was had by all and we are already planning the date for next year.”
