The annual Colchester-based golf day, organised by Ram Sreenivasan, Hugo Boyce, Christine Joyce and Jo Gilbert, took place at Five Lakes Golf Club and was attended by an impressive 110 golfers.

Now in its seventh year, the event saw players take to the course in the middle of a heatwave, with support from volunteers and the team at Five Lakes helping to keep the day running smoothly.

Following coffee and pastries on arrival, golfers headed out for a shotgun start before competing in a number of challenges throughout the day. The yellow ball competition was won by Chris, Andy, Cathy and Nick, while Velma Burton won the individual competition with an impressive 45 points. Colchester also narrowly beat Ipswich in the ESNEFT Ryder Cup, winning by 187 points to 185.

The fundraising total was boosted by a raffle and auction, including prints by Kenneth Reed, two special auction prizes donated by Mercedes, and a signed Essex T20 cap.

Ram Sreenivasan said: “It was a wonderful day and we are absolutely delighted to have raised £2,235 for the Critical Care Units at Colchester and Ipswich. Despite the heat, the support from everyone involved was fantastic, from the golfers who took part to the volunteers who helped on the day. A huge thank you must go to the team at Five Lakes, especially Tina Hickey and Danny Owen, who were the driving force behind the event.”

The money raised will support Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity, helping to make a difference for patients, families and staff across the hospitals’ Critical Care Units.