FOUR golfing friends tackled a marathon session to raise money for youngsters suffering from leukaemia.

Ian Thomson, Gary Collinson, David Whales and Nigel Dodd drove off the first hole of Bishop Auckland Golf Course on Monday, at 5.30am, and completed their 100-hole challenge at 9pm at night.

The group, all members at the club, were assisted in their effort by colleagues at the club who caddied as they covered more than 27 miles during the marathon event.

Their efforts raised more than £1,000 for club captain Ian's chosen charity, Children With Leukaemia.

He said: "It is basically a marathon hitting a golf ball. The other three lads played exceptionally good golf, with Nigel Dodd completing the holes four under par, David Whales finishing level par and Gary Collinson dropping fewer than ten shots.

"It was a very enjoyable day and we got good support from the members."

The club captain traditionally chooses charities to benefit from his year in office.

Ian's other beneficiary is the Butterwick Children's Hospice in Stockton.

The charity day was helped by sponsorship of golf shirts and balls from Nike UK, Ashworth UK and Spalding Sports.