Annual charity golf day raises money for Lions projects and local hospital

Two Lions projects and the St George Hospital Children's Ward are the recipients of $12,000 raised during the event held at Beverley Park Golf Course on November 13.

In what has been a very successful golf day in previous years, COVID brought some doubt over 2020, but the brilliant management within the safety requirements allowed this year to be outstanding.

The presidents of St George and Oatley Lions Clubs, John Craig and John Morgan, thanked the sponsors, particularly Club Rivers, who provided a cheque for $5,000, a team and hole sponsorship.

"St George and Oatley Lions Clubs have had wonderful support from community clubs such as Club Rivers, Oatley Hotel, businesses and people in our community to make the day so successful," said John Craig and John Morgan.

"Thanks to the loyal supporters who come every year. We have an over 90% return rate each year.

"It says much about our supporters and their generosity."

The St George Hospital Neonatal Ward was the first project to be supported, receiving a humidicrib, which is vital to assisting babies immediately after birth.

In total, this donation was $43,000 with considerable contributions from Oatley Hotel and Lions International matching the amount raised.

The second project was the Lions Kids Cancer Genome Project.

Lions International committed $4 million to fund the whole genome sequencing of 400 children with high-risk cancers over three years.

The Genome Project will create a genetic database which can be used by researchers and doctors worldwide.

The final project was the Lions Smile Project which provides reconstructive surgery to children and young adults with facial deformities in developing countries such as Papua New Guinea.

St George Lions Club, which created the original golf day and conducted it for 12 years, is transitioning the day to Oatley Lions Club as the St George club has ceased to operate.

This transitioning is not often done and demonstrates the goodwill between the two clubs.