Brighton residents Lee Middleton and Shane Dilloway-Thompson have announced their upcoming charity challenge to raise funds for special care babies. On Friday 21st June, the duo will take on the daunting task of playing 72 holes of golf at East Brighton Golf Club, starting at 5.30 am and finishing by 8.30 pm. This feat is equivalent to walking a marathon before even picking up a club, according to Middleton. Adding to the challenge, the pair have also decided to forgo the use of buggies.
Middleton and Dilloway-Thompson have chosen to support New Life Special Care Babies, a charity that purchases specialized neonatal equipment for hospitals across the South of England. Middleton explains that his personal connection to the charity’s CEO and Founder, Trevor Goodall, through family and friends, sparked his desire to give back.
In its 27 years of operation, New Life has provided support to numerous hospitals in the South of England. The charity’s first project was at The Great Western in Swindon, where Goodall’s twin sons, Joshua and Samuel, were born at just 24 weeks in 1995. Unfortunately, the babies passed away a week later.
“I have been a supporter of New Life for about 10 years now,” shares Middleton. “The first event I attended was the charity ball, which was a fantastic evening and has been held annually ever since.”
Both Middleton and Dilloway-Thompson are avid golfers and saw the 72-hole challenge as the ultimate test for their skills. In preparation, they have been practicing by completing 27 holes in a single day. “Playing 72 holes in one day is going to be a huge challenge for us,” admits Middleton. “But knowing that we are raising funds for specialized neonatal equipment will serve as a great motivator. There is a significant lack of funding in this area, so any difference we can make to support Trevor and his incredible work is worth it. His story is heartbreaking, and I hope to help as many families of premature babies as possible in the future. My network of friends and family have always been generous in supporting me in previous challenges for New Life, including a triathlon in 2023.”
Middleton, who works for Picture More Recruitment, has also enlisted his company’s help in raising funds for New Life. The company has chosen the charity as its official fundraising partner for 2024 and aims to raise a minimum of £1000 by the end of the year through various activities such as bake sales, charity walks, and social events. A Just Giving page has been set up for anyone who would like to support Middleton and Dilloway-Thompson in their challenge. Interested donors can visit justgiving.com/campaign/72holesoneday.
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