GENEROUS golfers have given a children's charity a boost by raising more than £4,500.

Bishop Auckland Golf Club has raised the funds for the Rainbow Trust through a series of events organised by this year's captain Mick Burdess.

The fundraising drive was helped by Mr Burdess's four-year-old grandaughter Sophie, who lent her name to one of the bunker's throughout her grandfather's term as captain.

Mr Burdess said: "We called one of the bunkers Sophie's Sand Pit and any player who played into that bunker was fined 50p.

"It was a voluntary jokey thing but everyone paid up, even players from other clubs who we have played in competitions."

This week Sophie and her two-year-old brother, Jack, went along to Bishop Auckland Golf Club to accept a cheque for £4,546 on behalf of the Rainbow Trust.

Mr Burdess said: "I chose the Rainbow Trust because it provides a range of services for the families of seriously and terminally ill children and I had heard that it was helping two or three families from Bishop Auckland.

"This has been a wonderful effort on behalf of the membership and we have had tremendous support throughout the year from sponsorship and donations.

"I am over the moon with how much we have raised."