Niall Quinn Tees Off for COCO
Thursday 18th June 2009
Sunderland Football Club's Chairman, Niall Quinn joined Steve Cram and a whole host of other celebrities from the world of sport and entertainment for COCO's Golf Day on June 4th.
Despite a distinctly chilly morning in Northumberland, celebrities including Niall, Ian Botham, Denise Lewis, Kriss Akabusi, Gary Pallister and Marco Gabbiadini teamed up with local businessmen and women for a day of golf in aid of COCO.
Businesses taking part were mainly from the North East and included MGM, Howie White Resourcing, Clarks Catering, Tofco, CCS Mobile, Sunderland University, The Cooperative Bank, Adidas and sponsors of the event, Dunelm.
The stunning course at De Vere Slaley Hall was enjoyed by celebrities and business competitors during a great round of golf. Along the course participants also participated in a Question of Sport quiz, with MGM winning the competition - with all answers correct, rather dubiously!
Having just signed new Sunderland FC Manager Steve Bruce the day before, Niall Quinn was pleased to be swapping the board room for the golf course. Speaking to the press on the day Niall said: "We have had a lot going on at the club in the past few days, so it is nice to get out and play a bit of golf. It has been a smashing day!"
Adidas provided t-shirt for the players whilst the celebrities looked very smart in their jackets, courtesy of Berghaus.
The highest scoring celebrity of the day was former Middlesbrough legend Craig Hignett whilst the second highest scoring celebrity, Finlay Mickel helped his team Browell, Smith and Co to win the tournament.
Prizes were presented over a three course dinner which also included COCO's eagerly awaited raffle and auction. Winners took away a selection of money-can't-buy prizes including a 2012 Olympic Tour and chance to meet Lord Sebastian Coe; a track session at the Veledrome with Olympic Champion Chris Hoy; VIP tickets to see Take That, Oasis and the Sugarbabes; a round of golf with Steve Cram at Loch Lomond and tickets to the Wimbledon Ladies Final. One lucky winner took home a caricature of all the celebrities who attended the event which was created on the day by COCO's in house artist Matt Lawrence.
Niall Quinn and Ian Botham also took part in a celebrity question and answer session which proved to be a hit with the 160 guests who attended the dinner.
Following the event John MacIntyre from Sunderland University said to the staff at COCO: "Thanks to everyone for a brilliant day - my guests and I had a fantastic time and it was honestly the best event I've been to in terms of organisation and atmosphere. Count me in for next year!"
The success of the day was thanks to the support of COCO's partners - Dunelm, De Vere Slaley Hall, Berghaus, Adidas, Srixon and Desert Springs and most importantly the businesses and dinner guests who continue to support COCO. In difficult economic times it is a tribute to the generosity of our supporters that the golf day has still managed to raise over £15,000 for our projets.
Thank you to all of you who were able to attend and we hope we can welcome you back again next year. For any businesses who are interested in attending in 2010 please email laura@coco.org.uk.
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