Almost $20,000 was raised recently for the Wellington Cancer Society thanks to charity fundraiser Golf For A Cause, sponsored by Tall Poppy Lower Hutt.

The event upped its fundraising total by $7000 since being launched last year as a way of raising awareness for those in the community affected by cancer - and 27 teams took to the green this year.

The Ambrose tournament received its main sponsorship from Robyn Bond and Peter Kruk, owners of Tall Poppy’s Lower Hutt franchise, backed by Tall Poppy national HQ, as well as support from many other local businesses, in the form of sponsorship and donated prizes.

Event organiser Mia Scrimgeour says the idea behind the tournament was about raising as much money for the Cancer Society as possible, because they do so much vital work for patients and families around the country.

Tall Poppy Lower Hutt team member Anna Geremia-Young, a friend of Scrimgeour’s, was the link between the business wanting to find more ways to get involved with community support, and deciding on sponsoring Golf For A Cause.

She says the bravery of people dealing with the illness -  including a tournament participant who had cancer himself and wanted to play in order to give back to the Cancer Society who had been supporting him - was humbling.

“It is really poignant to hear the stories of just how much cancer has affected some of the people who attended the tournament, and to know that these funds will be able to assist them,” she says.

“Cancer affects many in the community, including our own  families and friends, so we feel privileged to be involved”.

The Cancer Society NZ’s Wellington chapter provides support to people with cancer and their whānau across Kāpiti, Wairarapa, Marlborough and Nelson-Tasman.