Sir Gareth Southgate and sporting stars raise more than £23,000 for Martin House Children's Hospice at Yorkshire Invitational

Some of sport's biggest names gathered at Ilkley Golf Club this week for the Yorkshire Invitational, with this year's event raising money in support of Martin House Children's Hospice near Wetherby.

Hosted by golfing legend Colin Montgomerie OBE, the two-day event brought together professional golfers, celebrities and sporting stars while raising money to support children and young people with life-shortening conditions and their families.

Among those taking part were Sir Gareth Southgate, Jason Robinson, Zinzan Brooke, Steve Harmison, Lee Dixon, Andy Cole and Dame Laura Davies, alongside a host of professional golfers.

The event raised £23,361.70 for Martin House Children’s Hospice, which provides specialist palliative care and support to children, young people and families across West, North and East Yorkshire.

Sir Gareth, a long-term Martin House Children’s Hospice ambassador, said: “I'd say my golf went from average to reasonably good.

"It was certainly nerve-wracking teeing off in front of a crowd at the start.

“It's been a brilliant event, and the fact that the money is going to Martin House Children’s Hospice is very special.

"It costs a lot to keep the hospice running each year, so events like today are great for raising both the charity's profile and valuable funds.”

More than 1,600 spectators had registered ahead of the event, with visitors getting the chance to watch some of sport’s most recognisable names compete up close.

The Invitational culminated in a professional tournament, with Chris Hanson taking victory on two-under-par, one shot ahead of runner-up Oliver Fisher.

There was also a memorable moment when Howard Rishton, from Clitheroe Golf Club, recorded a hole-in-one at the 15th, hitting a six iron into a strong wind.

Michelle Ford, Regional and Events Team Manager at Martin House Children’s Hospice, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone involved in the Yorkshire Invitational for choosing Martin House Children’s Hospice as its charity partner and helping to raise such a fantastic amount.

“Every pound raised will help us continue providing specialist care and support to children and young people with life-shortening conditions, and their families, across Yorkshire.”

The Yorkshire Invitational was organised by SGH Sporting Events and saw amateur golfers given the opportunity to play alongside leading names from the worlds of professional golf and sport.

Each year, Martin House Children’s Hospice supports more than 550 children and young people with life-shortening conditions, and their families.

Its specialist teams provide care at the hospice in Boston Spa, in hospitals and in families’ own homes.

Providing this care costs around £13 million every year, with the majority coming from voluntary donations and fundraising.