Barker and Stonehouse’s socially distant golf day raises £10,000 for charities

Independent furniture retailer Barker and Stonehouse has raised £10,000 for industry charity The Furniture Makers’ Company and NHS charities by organising a socially distant golf competition.

Around 50 people from across the furnishing industry took part in the annual golf day on Wednesday 12 August at the Catterick Garrison Golf Club in North Yorkshire. The team at Barker and Stonehouse have been organising the annual golf event in aid of the charity for decades. However, this year’s fundraiser had to take on a new all outdoor format considering the COVID-19 pandemic and the government-imposed restrictions.

Following a wonderful day’s play around the course under the hot August sun, the golfers spaciously sat down to an alfresco feast provided by a mobile stone fire pizza wagon.  A short prizegiving took place after the meal with James Barker, managing director at Barker and Stonehouse, awarding Peter Soakell with the Best gross and Best overall trophies.

Paul von der Heyde, chairman of trustees at The Furniture Makers’ Company, attended the tournament and concluded proceedings by highlighting the vital work the charity continues to perform in supporting people from the trade who are experiencing financial hardship.

The event raised £10,000 and the money will be split between The Furniture Makers’ Company and local NHS charities.

Commenting on the fundraiser, James Barker said: “Barker and Stonehouse is proud to support The Furniture Maker’s Company, a charity that provides much needed support for those in the furnishing industry. We have been hosting the Barker and Stonehouse annual golf day in aid of this cause for many years and we were very happy to be able to continue this tradition this year but under slightly different socially distant compliant conditions.”

Paul von der Heyde said: “Barker and Stonehouse is a long-time supporter of our charity and we want to extend our thanks for proceeding with this year’s fundraiser and going to the great lengths they did to ensure everyone had a wonderful time but in a socially distant, safe manner. It was a lovely day; the location was beautiful and the course was in great condition; there was some fine golf played and a lot of fun had.”