Wigan charities are being offered the chance to raise vital funds by running Haigh Hall's crazy golf course for a day

The Friends of Haigh Woodland Park (FOHWP) has run the crazy golf – rated as one of the best in the UK – since 2012 – and every year turns the course over to 10 local charities, one day each, from Easter to October.

The charities operate the crazy golf themselves with their own members and keep whatever they raise for their own funds.

It costs just £1 per person to play the hugely popular 18-hole course and the charities are guaranteed a minimum of £200 whatever the takings are on the day, but should they collect more than that figure, they the extra also goes into their funds and that could even be more than £350.

FOHWP chairman Ray Hinds said the charity fund raisers have been a popular feature of the group’s events for a number of years and local charities have benefitted to the tune of many thousand pounds.

“We have our regular charities,” said Ray. However we are aware that there will be groups out there who are unaware of this opportunity to raise much-needed funds and we would like to invite them to apply.

“We would like all those interested to apply to us by the end of February and once all applications are in we will draw out the names of the ten who are successful.”

Ray said interested charities should forward their application to FOHWP charity co-ordinator Harold Ashurst at [email protected], together with a contact name and the group will reply to all groups, irrespective if they are successful or not.

He added: “We take great pride in being able to help local good causes in this way and we look forward to receiving many applications, which will benefit to at least £200.”

The volunteer group, which has been in existence since 2012, not only helps local charities, but also works closely with Wigan Council to help enhance and improve the facilities at the award winning venue.

“We help to fund facilities around the park,” said Ray.

“For example we have donated money to help provide the parasols that have recently been installed in the courtyard sand also made a significant contribution to the work being carried out to renovate the model railway.

“We also help to fund the concerts that take place throughout the summer and our members regularly volunteer to help with events such as the annual firework display and Halloween.”

The group is always looking for more volunteers to help with their work and anyone who would like to join the Friends should, in the first instance, contact Harold Ashurst.

Haigh Woodland Park has been undergoing major improvements in recent years and even before work starts on the transformation of the stately home’s interior to offer even more reasons to go there, figures have shown record visitor numbers to the attraction in the past year.

So there should be plenty of crazy golf customers for those charities to run the course.