GOLFERS helped drive up funds for Oxford Children’s Hospital.

The competition at Studley Wood Golf Club raised more than £5,000.

Twenty teams, including one from the Oxford Mail, took part in Friday’s event which saw a total of 80 golfers tee off.

Organiser Dan Hancocks, 35, decided to raise money as a thank-you for the care the hospital provided for his son Jack.

He said: “I felt that just saying thank-you was not enough. This is our very small way of showing how grateful we are.

“We have had so much support today – it shows what amazing work is going on there.”

A number of the teams were made up of friends and family of children who have been treated at the hospital, on the John Radcliffe site in Headington.

The golf was followed by an auction of prizes donated by companies from around the country, including holidays, hampers and bottles of wine.

Jack, now aged two, needed three operations in his first year of life.

Mr Hancocks, who lives in Aylesbury, organised the day with two friends. He said: “If it wasn’t for the fantastic staff at the Children’s Hospital my son wouldn’t be here today.

“We should be really proud of the attendance today. We have had no one pull out, despite the weather.”