Friday July 11 proved a very special day in the TTBS calendar, with the staging of the society’s annual national golf day, held at the Marriott Hollins Hall, Shipley, West Yorkshire, a PGA recognised course. More than 60 players from throughout the UK took part in the 2003 competition, which was even more competitive than last year’s event.
Finnforest UK was the main sponsor this year. However, by also working with some of its key supply chain partners – Arch Timber Protection, Weinig, Aon Trade Credit, Wickes, SAP and Valmar Handling Systems Ltd – Finnforest was able to raise a record-breaking sum of over £17,000 for the charity. This figure was swelled by a number of companies sponsoring individual holes at the event and the generous support of guests through a hugely successful raffle and auction during the evening.
Despite concerns about the weather, the event went to plan with the indomitable players setting a steady pace throughout the morning for the single stableford over 18 holes. The afternoon witnessed intense competition for the stableford greensome.
Evening presentation
The day was a resounding success with players and supporters alike in fine spirits by the evening’s presentation dinner. Senior TTBS patron Barry Lewis congratulated all present on the fantastic sum of money raised from the day’s golfing – the most raised in the competition since its inception.
He said: “The TTBS National Golf Day was again a resounding success with a challenging course complemented by fine weather and the good company of so many trade golfers. The money raised exceeded our wildest expectation and the society wishes to put on record its appreciation of the work put in by our main sponsor Finnforest UK Ltd in helping to raise what is a record amount for the event.”
TTBS general manager Malcolm Job gave an overview of the work of the TTBS over the past year, which included over £100,000 being spent on direct benefits to the charity’s beneficiaries nationwide. The industry in general has also been highly supportive of the event and companies as well as private individuals have all contributed to a hugely successful event for all those involved in the timber industry.
A timber support network
The Timber Trade Benevolent Society helps people who work or have worked within the timber trade who, for whatever reason, require some financial assistance. It provides assistance with telephone line rental and TV licences as well as providing popular Christmas and spring food hampers.
Benefits are distributed according to an individual’s circumstances so, for example, while one person will receive just a hamper, another whose needs are greater will receive more. In addition to the regular benefits, a number of one-off grants are made for special circumstances. This can be for things such as redecorating beneficiaries’ homes through to a recent grant for a computer to assist a disabled man communicate better with his family and friends.
