A cheque for more than £31,000 has been handed over to Abigail’s Footsteps following a year of incredible fundraising by members of Rochester & Cobham Park Golf Club.

The baby loss charity’s Vice President Cheryl Baker accepted the donation along with co-founders Jo and David Ward, MBE, during a glittering event at the clubhouse.

Abigail’s Footsteps was chosen as the club’s charity of the year for 2026 by Captain Lee Atkinson, he said: “I had previously met Jo and David and was especially bowled over by their passion and commitment. Obviously, it’s nice to support a local charity and one that also uses the golf club for events.

“Our members are always very supportive of our charity of the year, but this year especially so, which may be down to David speaking so passionately and eloquently on day one at Captain’s drive in.

“I was extremely proud to present the cheque in continued support of such and incredible cause.”

Rochester and Cobham Park Golf Club is set within a 200-year-old deer park which was formerly part of the wider estate of Cobham Hall, one of England’s great Elizabethan houses.

The Lady Captain, Kate Gray, added: “It has been a privilege to have Abigail’s Footsteps as our chosen charity. We are delighted to have raised so much money in our Captaincy year. 

“Our members have been exceptionally generous. We have also had a lot of fun at the various fundraising events we have put on, be it wine tasting, golf days, auctions or the many raffles.

“Thank you to our wonderful golf club for donating the green fees on our identified charity days, and club staff who have ensured every event ran as smoothly as they did. 

“Abigail’s Footsteps has been a great charity to work with – a special shout-out to Senior Challenge and Events Fundraising Manager Becky Hopkins, and the founders David and Jo Ward who have been amazing!”

The money raised will support the work of Abigail’s Footsteps to provide the Abi Cooling Cot® to hospitals across the UK, offer counselling to parents and provide bereavement training for healthcare professionals.

Abigail’s Footsteps Co-founder and trustee David Ward, MBE, said: “The amount of money raised by the club completely blew us away.

“It reflects a year of hard work, generosity and kindness from every member, guest and supporter who took part.

“We would like to extend our thanks to Lee and Kate for choosing us as their charity of the year, and to everyone at the club who organised, played and supported events.”

To find out more about Abigail’s Footsteps visit www.abigailsfootsteps.co.uk 

Pictures:

Abigail’s Footsteps – Rochester and Cobham Park 1 (l-r: Jo Ward, Kate Gray, Lee Atkinson, Cheryl Baker, David Ward)

Abigail’s Footsteps – Rochester and Cobham Park 2 (l-r: Kate Gray, Lee Atkinson, Cheryl Baker)