The bfa Chairman’s Charity Day 2012, sponsored by McDonald’s and The Franchise Surgery, was held at Staverton Park, Northamptonshire on the 20 September. It featured some familiar faces registering success on the golf course, some handy shooting on the clay pigeon range and revealed the competitive nature of the chairman himself on the karting track.

The annual event raises money for a worthwhile cause selected by Michael Eyre, bfa chairman, who this year picked Dementia Dog as his chosen project. Dementia Dog is a new scheme, launched in conjunction with Dogs for the Disabled and other partners, that aims to use man’s best friend as a way to maintain routine, independence and reassurance for as long as possible for people suffering from dementia. We’re delighted to be supporting a life-changing project like this one.

Once the day got underway friendships soon turned to rivalries, with activities this year including go-karting, clay pigeon shooting and the usual hard-fought competition around 18 holes on the PGA European Tour-standard course. The testosterone was flowing freely on the karting track, where Michael achieved notoriety by becoming the only driver to be black-flagged! It appears he takes his charitable work very seriously...

Congratulations go to Chris Cook of Chantry Creatives who swept aside all comers on four wheels to take the chequered flag in the final. Special mention also goes to Sally Butters, who was the highest-placed female driver.

In the shooting, when someone turns up with their own kit and gun you know there’s only going to be one winner, and so it proved as Justin Holloway of Prokill successfully shattered the most clay targets while his ‘competition’ were left nursing their shoulders and egos. Best-placed female shooter went to Helen Thompson of Kyros.

The golf course hosted a slightly more sedate tournament. In the end Ken Braddock of HSBC secured a comfortable victory in the individual contest despite feeling unwell throughout, even to the point where he couldn’t stay to collect his winner’s trophy! Luckily one suspects there’ll be plenty of practice put in to give him a tougher challenge next year, though commendations must also go to Alan Gibson of FDC and Mark Harvey of VIP Bin Cleaning for finishing second and third respectively.

Alan also found himself in the winning foursome alongside Richard Holden of Lloyds TSB, Nick Strong of Select Your Franchise and Michael Graham of Chemex – the latter three retaining their title following last year’s victory; truly the franchising golf team to beat. Michael receives further kudos for the day’s longest drive, while Tony Bostock of Fraser Brown took the ‘nearest the pin’ honours on the day.

After a day of such strenuous activities came the rather more relaxing dinner
and drinks at the De Vere Staverton Park hotel. Following the meal and prize-giving there was the serious matter of the importance of the work done by Dogs for the Disabled, and the difference that they are making in people’s lives. After chief executive Peter Gorbing detailed the new Dementia Dog scheme, he introduced Marion and Dennis Adcock and their dog Cloud. Marion suffers from MS and is wheelchair-bound, and relies on Cloud, trained by Dogs for the Disabled, to help her with day-to-day life. Marion detailed how her four-legged friend gives her confidence and helps her with a multitude of tasks, including picking things up off the floor for her, helping her get dressed and even being able to empty the washing machine! In a heartfelt talk, she said that without Cloud she simply “wouldn’t be able to cope”.

It was the perfect reminder of the work that Michael has chosen to support for the last two years; last year the event raised £6,000 for Dogs for the Disabled, and this year we’re hoping that figure will be extended further. A cheque will be presented to the Dementia Dog project at the Chairman’s Dinner on the 6 December in Birmingham.

Huge thanks go to our main sponsors and all those who sponsored an individual golf hole on the day, who ensure that this fun event continues to make a significant contribution to support charitable causes: Blazes Renewables; Countrywide Signs; Oscar Pet Foods; NatWest; Belvoir Lettings; NIC Services Group; NMW Legal/Franchise Consultancy Services Ltd; Revive! Auto Innovations; Lloyds TSB; Pirtek; TaxAssist Accountants; Molly Maid; Franchise Careers Centre; Venture Marketing Group; Express Newspapers; Hamilton Pratt; PA4You; Owen White.