Local golfers proved a splash hit with a long-standing charity raising money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. 

A golf tournament, organised by The County Group in Crewe, raised a bumper £2000 for the RNLI's Congleton branch founded in 1966.

The local insurance broking group drew 13 teams of players to Wychwood Park Golf Club where there was friendly rivalry during a day's play to win prizes for the best overall team and top individual player as well as longest drive and nearest to the pin.

It was the latest in a series of annual golf tournaments staged by The County Group for the charity – a tradition only broken by the Covid 19 pandemic.

Winners from Rawlins Insurance, Newcastle-under-Lyme.

CEO Alastair Christopherson welcomed Congleton RNLI branch chairman John Lawson to the company's headquarters on Crewe Business Park where he presented a cheque.

Mr Christopherson said: "We do a lot to support charitable causes in our branches up and down the country but the golfing tournament is a real highlight, drawing players from a wide area for a great day of golf and fundraising. 

"We may be miles from the coast, but as an island nation the RNLI is a service we all depend on to save lives at sea and protect our beaches. 

"I was delighted to see such enthusiasm for the cause once again and to welcome John who is a stalwart of the charity locally."

RNLI Congleton Branch was established 56 years ago. (Image - CC 4.0 Unchanged Soda Can bit.ly/3u005sx)

Mr Lawson, chairman of the RNLI Congleton branch for 20 years, was the original owner of Heath & Blackshaw Insurance in Congleton which was taken over by Crewe's The County Group in 2003. 

Locally the charity has a hard-working band of 10 volunteers but would welcome more as it returns to traditional fundraising including bucket collections in supermarkets. 

May's collection at Morrisons in Congleton of Market Street, raised £32. And another is planned soon for the town's Tesco on the Clayton Bypass.

Meanwhile, the committee is organising a flag day and pub outing for a fish supper. 

Mr Lawson said: "Our Congleton branch was formed in 1966, carrying on the work of the previous ladies guild back in the 1930's.  

"Our volunteers devote their time to raising vital funds and it is wonderful to get the support from a high-profile business like The County Group. Its six annual tournaments have been a real boost to our local fundraising."

The County Group, a community focused network of local brokers employing more than 350 people in 35 offices countrywide.

For more on The County Group and insurance products go to countyins.com.

Anyone who would like to become a volunteer for RNLI Congleton is asked to call 01270 883765 or email [email protected]

You can also join a local RNLI group on Facebook.

The RNLI saved more than one life every day last year in the UK, with a total of 408 lives saved.

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