Autism Jersey’s annual Golf Day, sponsored by JT, tees off on Friday 10 August with organisers promising this year will be the biggest and best yet.

The money raised at this year’s Golf Day – the most important event on Autism Jersey’s fundraising calendar – will go towards funding the building and running of a residential and community-based Autism centre in the Island.

The annual event has 22 local teams taking part, and will be the first large event hosted at La Moye Golf Club’s new clubhouse, which has just undergone a £3.5m refurbishment. The day of competition will end with a raffle and auction, including donations by former world number one Ernie Els. Last year over £20,000 was raised for the charity from this one-day event.

Mr Els and his wife Liezl have a son with autism and founded The Els for Autism Foundation in 2009 to support people on the autism spectrum fulfil their potential to lead positive, productive and rewarding lives. The foundation has worked on a number of events and programmes in partnership with Autism Jersey.

Nick Winsor, Chairman of Autism Jersey, said: “This is our biggest fundraiser so we’re grateful to everyone taking part and to our sponsor JT. To have a corporate sponsor of the calibre of JT is essential to the event’s success and their professionalism, focus on the Jersey community, and on-going support guarantees a popular sell-out event year-on-year that makes a huge contribution to the Charities work.”

Daragh McDermott, Corporate Affairs Director at JT, said: “As a board member of Autism Jersey, I know only too well what a fantastic charity it is: offering invaluable support to many families and the wider community. JT is delighted to support Autism Jersey in their fundraising efforts by sponsoring, participating in and providing the prizes for this phenomenally popular annual golf day at La Moye Golf Club. We’re proud to be a locally-owned business and support our Island communities whenever and wherever we can.”