On Monday 21 August, Hever Castle Golf Club Captains Marjon Bakker & Steve Whittaker (joined by Vice Captain Carolyn Swan and 2022 Captain Mike Swan) successfully completed a marathon walk in aid of their chosen Captains’ Charity, Taylor Made Dreams.
In near perfect weather they made their way from Eastbourne to Brighton, over the Seven Sisters and the South Downs Way. In the end they walked slightly further than the distance they set out to do, and completed 27.3 miles in 11 hours.
Marjon and Steve have chosen to both raise money for the same charity this year. Their chosen charity is Taylor Made Dreams, a local charity based in Crowborough. TMD support children with life limiting illnesses and provides their families with financial, emotional and practical support throughout their difficult journey. They do this through a number of services: bucket list wishes, holistic therapy and counselling, medical travel grants, medical sheepskins, family portraits, photoshoots, technology loan library, and the sibling support service.
Marjon and Steve said: “It was a day of stunning views, steep ups and down and nasty looking bulls blocking our way but the thought of raising an amazing amount for Taylor Made Dreams and the benefits that terminally ill children will get from it kept us going, especially in those last tough hours. On behalf of Taylor Made Dreams and the entire team we want to say a huge THANK YOU to all of you who so generously donated. You have been fantastic, your financial support and uplifting messages made sure we could stick to our motto ‘just one foot in front of the other’ even when it started hurting! Unlike our feet and legs, the children you have so generously supported will not soon recover. But with your help we will bring a little bit of sunshine in their lives”
Since their term as Captains began in May 2023 (see related: Hever Castle Golf Club Fundraising for Taylor Made Dreams), Marjon and Steve have raised an amazing £10,768 for TMD from multiple events including: The Captains’ Drive In, The Ladies Open, and Captains’ Day plus many kind donations along the way.
If you would like to donate to the captain’s cause, it’s not too late! Just visit their Just Giving page via the link below.
Book your visit to Hever Castle & Gardens.
Within the grounds of the Hever Castle Estate, there are two opportunities for you to stay the night with us.
Hever Castle has played host to many important events and celebrations for over 600 years. In 1903 when William Waldorf Astor set about restoring Hever Castle to its former glory, he added the Astor Wing, to accommodate his family and guests, before creating a lake and the spectacular Italian Garden to house his impressive collection of ancient Greek and Roman statuary.
There are multiple places to eat & drink across the Hever Castle Estate. Select between the Castle & Gardens and Golf Club below to discover more.
Set in the mature grounds of the Hever Castle Estate, Hever Castle Golf Club is a 27 hole Kent golf course that will encourage and inspire all golf enthusiasts.
Set in the mature grounds of the Hever Castle Estate, the Wellbeing Centre consists of five smart treatment rooms.
