Is COVID-19 leaving you feeling helpless in not being able to support your favourite charity?
Well, here is some good news. Golf club members are still able to enjoy playing their favourite game hitting the course with mates. (Please see the NSW Health Website www.health.nsw.gov.au for current COVID-19 information).
In fact, Cancer Council is encouraging all golf clubs to sign up for The Longest Day, the ultimate golf challenge to raise much needed funds for Cancer Council NSW.
The Longest Day will officially take place this year on 13 December, but participants can hold their event at their local golf club anytime during December.
Lauren Fraser, Cancer Council’s Community Relations Coordinator said, “While The Longest Day is the ultimate endurance test of skill and stamina, it is easy to get involved – and a whole lot of fun.
“The Longest Day challenges participants to successfully complete all four rounds of golf (72 holes) during daylight hours with their friends and fellow members – a challenge that many keen golfers are eager to conquer!
“However, depending on your level of fitness you can try playing either two, three or four rounds of golf in one day – whichever challenge tests your skill or stamina.
“More than ever, we need heroes like you to fundraise so we can continue providing life-saving research, prevention and support services to those affected by cancer in our community. Services that are more important than ever, particularly under lockdown. All Cancer Council services are still functioning, including Transport to Treatment.
“In NSW, it is estimated that approximately 46,492 people will be diagnosed with cancer in a single year, with around15,502 deaths expected,[1] so funding for cancer research, prevention, support and advocacy is vitally important,” Lauren explained.
“Playing golf is a good way to keep active, but as recreational golfers spend extended periods of time out in the sun, we want to remind all participants to use sun protection to reduce their skin cancer risk.
“Across NSW, UV levels are high enough to require sun protection for most of the year, so we encourage golfers to keep sun-safe and slip, slop, slap, seek and slide, not only on The Longest Day, but each and every day.
“Up for the challenge? Then why not register your club at www.longestday.org.au and get your members involved and see who takes out the honour this Longest Day while supporting a cancer-free future? What a great reason to get competitive on the green!”
1Cancer incidence and mortality: projections 2011 to 2021 Cancer Institute NSW, Sydney: February 2016