Amateur golfers are being invited to help drive the fundraising for two local charities at an annual event organised by The Rotary Club of Knowle & Dorridge.

The club's 37th Charity Pro-Am Golf Competition will take place at Copt Heath Golf Club in Knowle on June 13 in aid of Molly Ollys and Age UK Solihull.

Teams of four golfers – each assigned one PGA Midlands-affiliated professional -will compete for a host of trophies and prizes across 18 holes. The day will also include lunchtime refreshments and culminate in a dinner, auction and raffle.

The popular event, which is expected to raise around £7,000, will reward the best amateur and professional golfers on the day including the coveted winner's Perpetual Trophy, plus a host of spot prizes from Nearest The Pin to Longest Drive.

The event will take place at Copt Heath Golf Club in Knowle

Colin Winstone, who is organising the tournament on behalf of The Rotary Club of Knowle and Dorridge, said: "This is an important annual charity fundraising tournament which over the years has raised more than £300k for local charities. We thank our main sponsors Farmfoods and Sodick, plus the Midlands PGA and Copt Heath Golf Club, for their ongoing support."

Proceeds will be divided between two local charities, Warwick-based Molly Ollys and Age UK Solihull.

Molly Olly's Wishes was established by Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw following the experiences of their daughter Molly over the five years she received treatment for kidney cancer at Birmingham Children's Hospital.

Between 2017 and 2020, the charity funded Birmingham's first paediatric palliative consultant and works alongside the NHS to support projects within the hospitals and the community. One key project was the creation and refurbishment of Magnolia House at Birmingham Children's Hospital. This is a safe and non-clinical space where medical teams and families can have important discussions.

Molly on her way to a party in 2011

The charity is well-known for its therapeutic toy lion, Olly The Brave, which has its own Hickman line and a detachable mane. The soft toy helps to explain and normalise the effects of chemotherapy. These form part of an Olly The Brave pack which includes a six-part illustrated book series. More information is available here.

Rachel Ollerenshaw said: "Molly Ollys are very grateful to the Rotary for their help and support. It has been a tough 12 months for fundraising at a time when we have seen an increase in demand for our services.

"Funds raised will enable us to help more children and this help can make a very real difference to families facing very challenging circumstances. Thank you to everyone involved."

Age UK Solihull is a local charity that provides direct services to help older people living in Solihull with the challenges faced in later life. Over the years the charity has been established as the only voluntary organisation working solely for and with older people in the Borough, with community hubs at The Core Library in Solihull and Chelmsley Wood Library as well as two charity shops.

More information is available on the website.

Rebecca Jacob, spokesperson for Age UK Solihull, said: said: "Like many charities, we've had a tough couple of years. Fundraising opportunities have been limited while many local older people have needed our help more than ever.

"We are grateful to have been chosen, along with Molly Ollys, as one of the causes supported by this Golf Event. We are a local charity and the funds raised for us will stay in Solihull to help us support older and vulnerable people in the borough. Thank you to The Rotary Club of Knowle & Dorridge and to all who are supporting the event."

To enquire about tickets, which cost £390 per team, contact Colin Winstone on 07800 121274 or via: [email protected]

For more information about the activities of Rotary in Knowle and Dorridge visit the Rotary Club of Knowle & Dorridge website.