WINSOR RAISES 255´000 EUROS!

By Humphrey Carter ROBERT Winsor MBE and his charity golfers have done it again setting a new record by raising an impressive 255'000 euros for disabled and under privileged children in the Balearics. This year's celebrity golf tournament, the eighth Winsor has staged in Majorca, was his most successful yet, the 255'000 euros raised is 100'000 euros more than last year, and is now the biggest fund raising event in Spain. The big surprise this year was a late entry into the charity auction, an 18-hole round of golf for three people with top Spanish golfer Sergio Garcia including lunch with “El Niño” which was announced by his father Victor at Monday night's welcome dinner at the Real Golf de Bendinat. The starting price for the Garcia package was 10'000 euros but come the end of Wednesday night's gala dinner at the Santa Ponsa Country Club, it went for a staggering 33'000 euros to Scottish golfer Robert Murray, a member of the Real Golf de Bendinat club. Winsor and his wife Maria were stunned by the amount bid but there was more to come. A trip for four people in a private jet to Ibiza went for 7.500 euros; a signed and dedicated Claudia Schiffer hand bag raised 4'000 euros; 2'500 euros were bid for a Cartier ring; a sculpture of George Best's feet went for 5'500 euros and a Jeroboam of 2001 wine raised 2'000 euros. Another surprise of the night was the kind gesture of one of the guests who, having bid 5'500 euros for a Jerry Adams painting, then presented it to Robert's wife Maria in recognition of all her hard work in organising the annual charity event. By the time the auction came to a close and donations by the sponsors such as Engel and Volkers, who started the event running this year by presenting Winsor with a cheque for 30'000 euros, the Balearic government and local businesses had been added to the auction takings, the total stood at 231'000 euros. The owner of Key West restaurant in Puerto Portals, Robert Keen, stepped forward and upped the total to 245'000 euros. Another dinner guest added an extra 5'000 euros and finally Avancecars donated another 5'000 euros to take the grand total to the record breaking 255'000 euro mark. All of the money will go to helping disabled children and care centres in Majorca, covering the costs of much-needed operations and increasing Winsor's fleet of specially-modified mini-buses for the disabled. The huge success of the annual charity golf event at the Real Golf de Bendinat is what attracts a host of top British celebrities to Majorca year after year. Despite the hard work involved, it is their loyal and dedicated support which keep Winsor and his wife going. As has become the norm, a special presentation of all the special equipment purchased with the funds and donations to the various charities Winsor and his wife now help in the Balearics will be made in the Autumn. And, as usual, the smile on the faces of the disabled children and their families at the presentation and knowing that the event will improve their lives is what makes it all worthwhile for Robert, Maria and all their dedicated supporters and sponsors.