Blind golf champion tees off charity fundraiser (From Times Series)

Blind golf champion tees off charity fundraiser at Potters Bar Golf Club

5:20pm Thursday 30th August 2012 in News By Chris Hewett

A blind golf champion joined dozens of disabled and elderly community figures to raise almost £2,000 for charity in the opening week of the Paralympic Games.

Pieta le Roux, 38, was the special guest at the tea party fundraiser, organised by former Hertsmere Mayor Peter Knell at the at Potters Bar Golf Club, in Darkes Lane.

British and Canadian Open winner Pieta, who lost his sight to a hereditary condition at the age of eight, drew raffle prizes and spoke to guests about his career in the sport.

The double world champion, who has lived in Potters Bar for more than a year, spoke to the Times Series about the importance of disabled sport and the impact it has had on his life.

He said: “I have met people with all kinds of disabilities and I’ve seen many who suffer low self esteem and are left sat at home. Sport has been excellent in my life and I have gained a lot from it.

“To have the Paralympics here is fantastic and it is making disabled sport more prominent. I think more can and should be done to advertise sports facilities for disabled people – it needs to be accessible and hopefully the Games will provide that legacy.”

South African-born Pieta was joined by Hertsmere MP James Clappison and members of the Bushey and Oxhey Round Table.

A musical harp performance by 12-year-old Chancellor's School student Charlotte Brennan, of Manor Road, added to the atmosphere.

Raffle prizes were donated by Tesco and Sansbury’s, while Barclays bank in the high street agreed to double proceeds from the raffle, all of which will go to MacMillan Cancer Research.

Councillor Peter Knell invited members of the Potters Bar community he got to know during his stint as mayor last year.

He said: “It is fantastic. It all goes hand-in-hand with the Paralympics in terms of promoting disabled sport. It was a tremendous afternoon.”