Sheerness Golf Club has chosen a cause close to the hearts of many Islanders as its charity of the year in memory of a former captain.

Throughout 2014, members will be supporting the Friends of the Wisdom Hospice, the group which raises money for the facility which offers end of life care to cancer sufferers in Swale and Medway.

Shain Ryan, who is this year’s captain, chose it as the cause he would like to help after learning it cared for past captain Ian Cottage, who died in October.

The 68-year-old, from Minster, had been a member of the club for more than 30 years and his wife, Jan Cottage, also died at the hospice two years ago.

Her son and Ian’s stepson Lee Parsons has already been raising money for the cause.

He and his wife Vicky asked for donations instead of presents at their son Dougie’s christening and collected £420 and his brother Matthew and his wife Jessica ran the London Marathon for the charity.

Queenborough resident Mr Parsons, whose stepdad taught him how to play, said: “We are all keen golfers and it will be good to raise some money for a worthy cause which relies on donations.”

Mr Ryan, 42, who lives in Minster, said he has spoken to a lot of Islanders who have had relatives in the hospice so he decided to choose it as it’s such an important charity.

He said: “It’s going to be a busy year and we hope to raise as much money as possible.”

There are a number of fundraisers planned already for this year, including a tournament on Saturday, April 12.

A raffle will take place and prizes already donated include a £20 voucher for the Beach pub in Minster and a meal for two at the Aviator in Queenborough.

There will also be a Charity Captain’s Day on Saturday, June 28, and a series of captain’s challenges throughout the year.

For more information, phone the club on 01795 662585