The JCT 600 Mazda John Hendrie Celebrity-Am Golf Classic held at the Marriott Hollins Hall Golf and Country Club last Thursday boosted the fund for Menston St Mary's RC School's sports college status bid fund by thousands of pounds.

Former Barnsley manager and player John Hendrie, whose daughter Lauren attends the school, gathered together a string of celebrities who joined teams from17 different companies in battle for the prizes.

They players enjoyed lunch before playing an 18 hole stableford team event. Play was followed by an evening dinner, after dinner speaker and auction.

The auction included Alan Shearer's shirt from last year's FA Cup final, Sol Campbell's shirt and Mark James' Ryder Cup clothing.

Former Leeds United and England footballer Norman Hunter was the first celebrity out followed by golfer Gordon Brand.

Each team was accompanied by a celebrity player and these included soccer commentator John Helm, Yorkshire Television presenter John Shires, comedian Norman Collier and from the footballing world Guiseley AFC manager Bobby Davison (ex- Leeds United ), Clayton Blackmore, Craig Hignett, Peter Shirtliffe (all Barnsley), Neil Thompson (York City manager), Kenny Wharton (ex Newcastle United), Terry Dolan (ex Bradford City), Bobby Collins and Peter Lorimer (ex Leeds United and Scotland),Aidy Moses, Jimmy Phillips (Bolton), Greg Abbott and Bruce Bannister (ex Bradford City) and John Hendrie himself.

The winning team was from Thomas Wright Ltd and their celebrity player was Craig Hignett. Other companies taking part were JCT Mazda (three teams), Countrywide Porter Novelli, Braitrim, S W Ross, Jim Kierans, Nelson and Co, Sunlight Services Group, PPS Ltd, LPMS Ltd, R and C Group, Healthilife, Dickens Inn, Wheelden Print, Shay Grange Golf, Gilligans,. Allied Irish Bank and Greenwoods Menswear.

One of the organisers, Martin Gilhooley, said: 'It was a fantastic day and we were very lucky with the weather. It was a boost when we were joined by Norman Collier at the last minute.'

John Hendrie added: 'It was a brilliant day, the weather just made it but I think we deserved that sort of weather after all the hard work Martin, Hugh Kelly and myself put into this event. It has taken up all our time. What with that and organising the ex Bradford City players team to play Bradford City in their promotion celebration game I feel like Bob Geldof. I have not been able to concentrate on anything else but these two events, I have been totally focussed on them. I had to get 40 players together for the City game and then sorting out the celebrities for the golf has been a nightmare. Due to their working commitments these people are always liable to have to pull out. A couple pulled out on the morning of the event and I had to find replacements but it all worked out well in the end'

John's wife Linda has also played her part in the fund raising for St Mary's by running the Leeds Half Marathon last week.

John said that he had maintained his fitness since being sacked as manager of Barnsley FC by going on training runs with Linda.

'I have been running ten miles with Linda - I have never run that far in my life before,' said John.

St Mary's School is preparing a bid for sports college status and in order to do this they have to find £100,000 which would then be matched by the Department of Education and Employment making a total of £200,000 available for a capital project.

Recurrent funding of £100,000 a year is potentially available for six years and there is an opportunity to use the £200,000 capital project money to access an 80 per cent Sports Council Lottery grant making a million in total for capital work.

St Mary's epitomises the spirit of the National Junior Sports Programme and the physical education department is at the forefront of innovation and curriculum development.

Head Teacher Michael Pyle said: 'We have a development plan which is dependent on our working in partnership with the private sector. If our vision for sport in the region is shared by sufficient people it can become a reality.'

No less than 23 pupils have gained international honours in recent years and there are strong links with local primary schools, local sports clubs and disabled sports organisations.

The latest of these is Chris Egan, a Year 11 pupil who has been chosen to represent the Great Britain Catholic Schools' Under-17 football team and will be travelling to Portugal in July as part of an 18-strong squad to take part in the European Catholic Schools' Championships.

Chris has also been a vital member of the school's Under-16 team which reached the last 32 in this year's English Schools' Trophy. He also plays for local club Farsley Celtic. He becomes the 24th pupil from St Mary's in recent years to gain Junior International honours.

Chris, 16, will compete in Lisbon against teams from all over the world but he needs some help to do so. There is no central funding for the team so Chris has to raise £500 to cover his flight and accomodation expenses. He has contacted a number of local firms and is seeking help from anyone who can offer him sponsorship of any nature.

"I will be grateful for any assistance however big or small." said Chris.

Anyone who can help can contact Simon Wade in the PE Department at St Mary's on 01943 872951 or Chris at his home on 0113 2570649.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.