Littlehampton golfers’ cash for Worthing Hospital

Christine Watkin, former lady captain of Littlehampton Golf Club, held numerous coffee mornings and golf days during her year in the post.

In October, 2006, Christine, 57, was diagnosed with the early stages of breast cancer after she was tested at a mobile screening unit in Littlehampton.

While the cancer was not advanced, it covered a large area so she had to have a full mastectomy.

Christine said: “I cannot speak highly enough of the care and advice I received from all the staff at the breast screening unit.

“It was a very traumatic time for me and they guided me through it with expert treatment, together with understanding and concern.

“Three years on, I am pleased to report a clean bill of health and I am leading an active life, playing golf, swimming and walking my much-loved labrador, Phoebe, twice a day.”

When Christine became lady captain of Littlehampton Golf Club, she began encouraging members of the club to donate money towards the Western Sussex Hospital Trust Breast Care Appeal.

Pink was used as the colour theme for the club’s notice boards, diary covers and prizes, which together with coffee mornings and golf days raised £4,010.

Christine, of The Roystons, East Preston, added: “It makes me very happy to know the donation could mean lives are saved.”

The money will be used to buy intensifying screens, which scan underneath the breast and provide a much sharper image which can make cancerous cells easier to diagnose.

The captain of the Littlehampton Golf Club, Phil Boole, has also been raising money for the breast screening unit as his mother died from breast cancer and his wife has suffered from the disease.

Phil, 61, of Vicarage Lane, East Preston, will be donating his funds when he steps down as captain next year.

Tina Ellis, from the hospital’s Love Your Hospital charity, said: “Thank you to both Christine and Phil and all the club members who are working so hard to raise much needed funds for the Breast Screening Unit.

“We are very grateful to you all.”