A record 39 teams took part in a pro-am golf tournament held in memory of a former chairman of Middlesbrough FC, Mike McCullagh, who died in 2004. Nearly £6,000 is expected to be raised for the memorial trust fund which sends sick children to Lourdes. Mike McCullagh, a parishioner of St Bede’s, Marske, helped at the shrine. When he died of a brain tumour, aged 68, friends decided to set up a trust fund.

Tees businessman Barney Ord, secretary and administrator of the trust, said the £80,000 fund had now been closed. “We use the interest for charitable requests and this year sent two sick children and helpers to Lourdes. We accepted the recommendation of the Middlesbrough Diocesan Lourdes Sick Fund. It is also our intention to help with facilities for children visiting their fathers at Holme House Prison, Stockton, where Mike was on the visitors’ board.”

Police Sergeant Colin Gibson, organiser of the Cleveland Police Golf Tournament, said 39 teams had taken part at Wynyard Golf Course, Billingham. This was the highest number in the 11 years he had been helping. Many had come through Mr Ord’s efforts. Among golfers were cricketer Sir Ian Botham and ex-Boro footballers Gary Pallister and Alan Peacock.

A Teesside charity called Positive Strokes, for people affected by strokes, will receive £500 from the golf tournament. Next year it will be the main beneficiary.

Michael Morrissey