Swing for charity is a Golf tournament organized by the Royal Colombo Golf Club to be held on the 13th of September 2014 at the Royal Colombo Golf Club in aid of the Navodaya Special Children Foundation. A media gathering was called today at the club ahead of the event to brief the media regarding the event.
Seated at the Head table at the gathering were; Mrs. Lackshmi Karunajeewa, Director of the Navodaya special children’s foundation, Mrs. Irene Scarth, International representative, Mr. Michael Perera Magala, Captain RCGC, Mrs. Shyam Fonseka, Partner- creative Krib. First to address the gathering was the Club Captain who said “Charity is not something new to the RCGC, we had a successful charity last year and this will be the 10th occasion we host a charity event”. After last year’s successful edition where the club was able to gather up a considerable 3.5 million rupees they are adamant to better it this year through this year’s event; Swing for Charity. “This school need attention, these ‘special Children’ require ‘special attention’ and it is our duty to give these children what they deserve” said the captain in an inspiring tone.
“As a head teacher and principal of special children’s schools both in England and Egypt I feel the need of these little kids” said the International representative of the tournament, Mrs. Irene Scarth. “We hope that not only club members but non club members too will participate in this event along with Sri Lankan citizens as well as the international community, it’s a chance to change lives” added Scarth.
The tournament which works under a deep slogan “Giving Opportunity for the Less Fortunate” which denominates the word GOLF will be held in an Open handicap format where non-members too can participate paying the green fees as well as the entry fees. Non-members of the RCGC will be charged Rs. 7,500 which includes the Green fees as well as the entry fees while club members will only pay the entry fees of Rs. 3,000. “The entry fee is slightly exaggerated as this is in aim of raising funds” said the Club captain Mr. Perera.
In a heart touching address the Director of the Navodaya Special Children’s Foundation, Mrs. Luckshmi Karunajeewa thanked the Royal Colombo Golf Club for selecting the Navodaya school in their charity and passed a very warming message to the audience by saying “These children come from very poor family backgrounds most of them have difficulties in fulfilling the 3 basic meals of the day, we don’t really have a permanent location so we carry out work in rented premises. These children really need the help and support and we are most grateful to the RCGC for helping us”. The Director ended by making a humble request in desperation from the general public which had most of the audience into deep thought “Help us, we really need it”
With a target of 10 million rupees, the RCGC aims to build the Navodaya Special children’s foundation a building of their own and be independent and urges the general public to pledge towards the cause be it Golfer or non – golfer. The general public is requested to assist the RCGC in helping the foundation through sponsorships or contributions to be made at the RCGC as we all can “Give the opportunity for the less fortunate”.
