NEARLY £10,000 was raised for CHAS at a celebrity tournament organised by Alloa Golf Club.

A cheque for £9,732.83, a record figure for the annual event which has been running for 17 years now, was presented to Alison Rennie, community fundraiser at the charity, by club captain Bob Kemp and event organiser Andrew Matheson at the Schawpark course last Friday, July 7.

Satisfied with the figure, Andrew told the Advertiser: “I just enjoy doing it and I get excellent support from a lot of teams that enter every year and then I've got the support of the golf club as well.”

Bob highlighted the total sum donated over the years has now risen to around £96,000 – he hopes to push it to six figures next year.

Andrew also thanked the celebrities for their support, many of them look forward to the annual occasion now.

Alison said the charity was “delighted” to receive the money and added: “Andrew and the golf club have supported us for many years and raised such a phenomenal amount.

“We have launched a new campaign called 'Keep the Joy Alive' because for all our families – even in the darkest times we can help them find joy and £9,732.83 certainly does help us to support them, so thank you.”

The tournament itself took part at the end of May and saw 18 teams of four enter with a mix of celebrities and club members.

Coming along were former Scotland and Rangers players Ally McCoist, Ian Durrant, Tom Forsyth and goalie Stewart Kennedy.

Ex Scotland and Chelsea player and BBC Sportscene pundit Pat Nevin, Republic of Ireland and Celtic keeper Pat Bonner, former Scotland and Celtic player Darren Jackson were also in attendance.

The list did not end there as they were also joined by former Scotland and Hibs player and coach John Brownlie, Jocky Scott formerly of Aberdeen and Dundee, ex Reading and Livingstone footballer Stuart Lovell as well as former Dunfermline and Falkirk player Gregor Abel.

Completing the celebrity crew were Scottish referees Craig Thomson and Andrew Dallas as well as local lad and Voice 2016 winner Stevie McCrorie.

More than half of the money was collected during an auction, conducted by the cracking Ally Logan.

The tournament was won by the group of Chris Westland, Ray Barton, Allan Glass and James Brown.