GENEROUS golfers have taken terminally ill children into their hearts by raising cash to make their treatment more bearable.

Captain of Bishop Auckland Golf Club Clive Auld has thrown his weight behind a fundraising drive that has made more than £4,000 for the Children's Cancer Fund at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle.

Forty teams took part in a golfing challenge at the club last week to raise money for the cause. The competition was followed by a charity night last Wednesday with North-East entertainers giving their time for free to bring the total so far to £4,500.

Both events were among many hosted by the club which have all raised a substantial amount.

Mr Auld presented a cheque for the money raised so far to Sister Veronica Moreton from the Children's Ward, Bishop Auckland.

He said: "I went to the RVI to have a look at the set-up on Ward 16 and saw the great work that they do with these children and teenagers. After seeing that I decided to support the charity. A lot of children from Bishop Auckland are referred to that ward.''

The money will assist the children to enjoy free-time during their treatment, supplying home comforts to make their stay their as happy as possible.

Mr Auld said: "The support from the Golf Club has been first class, especially from club professional David Skiffington, who co-ordinated Saturday's charity golf day."