‘Three Peaks of Golf’ charity game to stop off in Preston

Steven Logan, from Preston, has helped organise the event

A golf event taking place in Preston is set to raise money for a Motor Neurone Disease (MND) charity.

The event has been set up by a Preston businessman and the final leg of the challenge is due to take part in the city followed by a fundraising dinner.

A group of golf fanatics are looking to raise £10,000 in the fight against MND by playing three rounds in three different countries in just 24 hours.

Dubbed the Three Peaks of Golf, three teams of four will take on the unique sporting challenge in aid of the Dean Fox MND Foundation and the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) charity.

The 54-hole challenge will start on Thursday June 27th when the team members tee-off in Scotland at Lockerbie Golf Club.

They will then drive to Wales overnight, before taking on 18 holes at Llangollen Golf Club’s testing course.

Then it’s on to England and the final leg which will be another full round at Preston Golf Club.

The 12 players will be joined on the course by 18 more teams.

A gala dinner is planned later that evening at the club to raise more money for the charities.

The teams taking part in the Three Peaks challenge will include Rugby League legend Robbie Hunter-Paul.

The event is called The MND Drive for Dean in recognition of the work by Dean Fox, 54, from Middlesbrough.

Another keen golfer, he set up the Dean Fox MND Foundation after being diagnosed with the disease in August last year, and set about raising awareness and funds for research and support groups involved with the devastating condition.

Dean is hoping to be able to hit the first drive in Scotland to begin the event, and possibly also tee-off in Preston.

Dean, a father and grandfather, who worked as a business coach, trainer and mentor, said: “I’m grateful for all the support we’ve received and excited about the impact we can make through this fantastic event.

“MND is a tough opponent, but we believe that together, we can drive change. ‘The MND Drive for Dean’ is about rallying our community to stand united against this disease, raising funds, and spreading awareness.”

The challenge has been organised by businessmen Steven Logan, from Preston, and Ben Cooper, from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.

Steven said: “Having arranged other charity fundraising events, we wanted to put together an event that would be bigger and better than anything we’ve done before.

“As the Three Peaks is already a thing, we got our heads together and thought we could adapt it to suit our passion – golf!

“It’s going to be an extremely tough 24 hours but everyone involved is committed to succeeding, both on the courses and in raising cash for such worthy causes.

“Dean is approaching his ‘challenge’ like he has everything that has happened in his life so far by taking all the positives from it, using his mindset daily to give it everything he has to fight for as long as possible. He is a true inspiration.”

MND is a condition that affects the brain and the nerves, and results in the progressive loss of motor neurons that control voluntary muscles and progressively worsens over time.

It has no cure, and can significantly shorten life expectancy, as only 10 per cent of those affected live beyond five years.

You can donate to the cause here.

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This story was made possible by support from you, our readers, and a host of organisations in the city, through our Crowdfund Lancashire appeal, which unlocked support from the Lancashire Culture and Sport Fund provided by Lancashire County Council. You can see all our coverage and, if you know of an arts project or event in the city we should be covering, send details to contactus@blogpreston.co.uk.