WHINHILL golf club members and their friends are set to go the extra mile for a vital local charity this weekend as part of their annual sponsored walk.

Walkers will set off from the club this Sunday, September 8, and trek to Largs in aid of mental health charity Man On Inverclyde.

The club is also holding a dance at the end of October to raise cash for Man On and Ardgowan Hospice.

Whinhill have been fundraising for local charities for over a decade through their annual sponsored walk and hope that their latest effort can raise thousands for their chosen cause.

John Lawrence, the club's secretary and a member for 50 years, told the Tele: “It all started way back during our centenary year when we decided to do something for charity.

“We thought we’d do a sponsored walk and the route we decided was from the club to Largs. We’ve been doing that now since 2011.

“Every year we pick a different charity. Sometimes it’s associated with somebody who has relatives that are ill, or may have cancer and we’ll do it for a charity like the hospice.

“This year it was brought to our attention that Man On Inverclyde is a charity some members of the club are associated with.

“We never target any particular amount, but it’s usually around £2,000 we make.

“As long as it’s not wet we’ll be fine, Being a golfer you have the appropriate clothing for that weather, but often the people who are not golfers won’t have the stuff, and will end up soaked to the skin by the time we get down to Largs.

“But we always have a good time, and we go to the pub down there for a celebratory drink before we get a bus back.

“We’re also going to have a dance at the end of October which will have a raffle and a nearest the bottle competition, and any money raised from that will go to this charity and the hospice as well.

“The dance has almost sold out already. We weren’t sure what it would be like, but the demand has been incredible.”

John says organising the walk is no small feat and would not be possible without the help of a number of individuals and groups.

He added: “I have to mention Inverclyde Leisure, because they’re very supportive of this. They provide the transport and a little bit of hospitality in the club at the end of it.

“Inverclyde Leisure, and in particular Jamie Cunningham, have been very supportive of us.

“I also need to thank Gary Havlin, who organises the walk every year, arranges the transport and does so much work for this club.

“Man On are a fantastic charity. I didn’t know anything about them at first, but then a few of our members who are associated with it told me more.

"I thought it was a really good cause because it deals with everyone in Inverclyde and beyond.

“I’m looking forward to a good weekend and a good dance later on in the year.”