Brad McLean, general manager at Thorpeness Golf Club and Hotel in Suffolk, has overcome personal tragedy to raise more than £100,000 for sick children.
Brad, from Norwich, has been fundraising since his son Stanley tragically passed away from heart complications, aged only 18 months, in 2012.
He reached the milestone sum after holding a charity golf day this Summer to benefit EACH (East Anglian Children’s Hospices) and GOSH (Great Ormond Street Hospital, London). More than 90 golfers teed up at Thorpeness resort and raised £10,688 in one day.
The funds raised from the golf day have been split evenly between EACH and GOSH and will go towards cardiac equipment, research and sponsoring daily care at EACH’s Quidenham Hospice.
Brad McLean, said: “£100,000 is an incredible amount of money to raise in Stanley’s memory. I’d like to thank everyone who has supported us in trying to help other families and children battling life-threatening illnesses and coping with the tragedy of child bereavement.
Stanley’s family is fortunate enough to have received great support from all walks of life but especially from within the golf community and members at the clubs where I’ve worked.”
The Stanley McLean Charity Golf Day was played over Thorpeness’ James Braid designed championship course and was followed by a gala dinner, auction and entertainment at the Thorpeness Country Club.
Golfers bid on auction prizes including holidays to Orlando, golf breaks at luxury Scottish resort Gleneagles and signed sporting memorabilia.
Laura Savory, head of community events at Great Ormond Street Hospital, said: “We’re so grateful to Stanley’s family and everyone who played for their generosity and support. The money raised from Stanley’s Golf Day will help to make a difference to seriously ill children from across the UK.”
Brad’s son Stanley was born with a rare heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallots, complicated by a missing pulmonary valve, and was treated in Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Following Stanley’s passing, Brad and wife Debbie received grief and bereavement counselling from EACH at its Quidenham Hospice, until they felt strong enough to set up The Stanley McLean Trust to help other sick children.
For more about the Stanley McLean Trust, visit: http://thestanleymcleantrust.blogspot.co.uk/
