Harpenden Golf Club has hit way over par this year by raising £23,434 for The Hospice of St Francis.

Under the leadership of Club Captain Peter Chapman, golfers have raised the amount through various initiatives including the Captains’ Day, Invitation day, Charity Day and Christmas Raffle and thanks to the support of generous members, including HSBC and Savills Estate Agents.

Mr Chapman said: "I’ve had a smashing year as captain of Harpenden and the icing on the cake has been raising this super amount which will help make a difference to the work of the Hospice.

"I look forward to keeping the support going by doing all I can to help David and Liz as they take over the captaincies."

The Hammonds End golf club has already pledged its support for the Hospice for a further year as both Club Captain David Oxley and Lady Captain Liz Salvesen have nominated it as their charity of the year.

Pippa Chappell, Community Fundraiser at the Hospice, collected the impressive cheque.

She added: "I am thrilled to receive a cheque for such a large amount from the generous members of Harpenden golf club and I can’t thank them enough for and agreeing to support us for a further year.

"It’s been a pleasure working with Peter and every time I’ve visited the club I’ve been made to feel so welcome by all the members; I look forward to this continuing under David and Liz’s leadership.

"Without the passion of community organisations like Harpenden golf club we simply wouldn’t be able to raise enough money to fund our free care for those who need it."

Nearly a quarter of the patients, with life-limiting illnesses, cared for by The Hospice of St Francis come from the Harpenden and St Albans area.

To find out more about visit www.stfranics.org.uk or call 01442 869550.