Clones Cyclone CLIC's for Irish Open

The European Tour and its charitable arm, the Tour Players Foundation, have announced CLIC Sargent Northern Ireland as the Official Charity of the 2012 Irish Open, which will be held at Royal Portrush Golf Club from June 28 – July 1.

A leading cancer charity for children and young people and their families, CLIC Sargent NI provides clinical, practical, financial and emotional support. 

From diagnosis onwards, the charity’s aim is to help the whole family deal with the impact of cancer and its treatment, life after treatment and, in some cases, bereavement.

The appointment is aimed at raising the profile of CLIC Sargent, as well as offering the opportunity to raise significant funds for the charity’s recently-launched ‘Homes from Home Appeal’.

The Appeal’s goal is to build Homes from Home accommodation in close proximity to Belfast’s two cancer specialist treatment centres - The Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children and The Belfast City and Northern Ireland Cancer Centre.

CLIC Sargent Patrons, former WBA World Featherweight boxing champion Barry McGuigan and his wife Sandra, joined Tour Players Foundation Trustees and staff from The European Tour at Wentworth Golf Club for the announcement.

McGuigan said: “CLIC Sargent research tells us that, on average, families in Northern Ireland travel 95 miles up to five times a week to access the cancer treatment their child needs. The Homes from Home will ease that financial and emotional burden and most importantly, will create a place for families to stay together away from the hospital.

“We are proud to be associated with such an important event for Northern Ireland and we hope the generous public will get behind our campaign to raise much-needed funds for two Homes from Home.”

Jonathan Orr, Tour Players Foundation Trustee, said: “CLIC Sargent was chosen by the Irish Open and Tour Players Foundation due to its great reputation for the support it offers children with cancer and their families. The Homes from Home Appeal allows the Irish Open to leave a lasting legacy in Northern Ireland.”

Innovative fundraising initiatives for CLIC Sargent will take place in the run up to and during the week of the Irish Open, which takes place in Northern Ireland for the first time in almost 60 years.