A MAJOR fundraising event has netted £24,000 for a hospice facing an increase in demand for its services.

Oakhaven's annual Golf Day saw 28 teams compete for the Oakhaven Charity Cup and a raft of other prizes donated by local businesses and individuals.

In the evening the teams enjoyed a carvery before welcoming guest speaker  Graham Poll, an internationally-renowned former football referee.

The event at Barton-on-Sea Golf Club was sponsored by Frampton Estates Ltd.

Melanie Stone, Oakhaven's head of fundraising, said: "Many thanks to everyone who supported our Golf Day, in particular our sponsors, volunteers and golf club staff, without whom this popular event could not take place."

Demand for Oakhaven’s specialist services grows each year.

Last year, the Lymington hospice cared for 1,400 patients and supported more than 3,200 local people who visited the Coates Centre to benefit from wellbeing and bereavement support.

The services cos £8m a year, but only 11 per cent of the money is provided by the NHS.

For the other 89 per cent Oakhaven relies on donations, fundraising and gifts left in wills, plus income from Oakhaven's charity shops and its social enterprise arm, Oakhaven Care Ltd.