GOLFERS in Bishop Auckland teed off a fundraising campaign in support of a charity helping injured servicemen and women.

Bishop Auckland Golf Club captain Melvyn Metcalf pledged to raise funds for the Help For Heroes organisation during his year in the role.

The charity was established in October 2007 to improve facilities and quality of life for military personnel injured on the frontline, and their families.

It is a cause close to Mr Metcalf’s heart, because his youngest son, also called Melvyn, has served in the army for over 18 years, and been on deployments to Iraq and Bosnia.

Father-of-two Mr Metcalf said: "It’s a very worthwhile cause to be supporting, and throughout the next year we will be holding various fundraising events such as the sportsmen’s dinner, donations, and a charity day."