Olympic gold winners Sir Steven Redgrave and Kriss Akabusi were among celebrities teeing off to raise money for charities which help sick children.

The champion rower and athlete joined snooker player Willie Thorne, sports presenter Jimmy Hill and musician Rick Wakeman at The Oxfordshire Golf Course near Thame for a celebrity golf tournament.

Former Australian Rugby Union captain Michael Lynagh was the host.

Money from entry fees and an auction raised £27,000 for Rosy -- Respite nursing for Oxfordshire's Sick Youngsters -- and London-based Sparks -- Sport Aiding Medical Research for Kids.

Among items going under the hammer were a week-long holiday in Barbados, which netted £1,250.

A signed photograph of boxer Mohammed Ali clinched £900 and a photograph signed by David Beckham went for £450.

Rosy intends to use its £13,500 share of the money to part-fund a respite nurse to help sick children in the county.

Craig Milner, chairman of Rosy, which was set up a year ago, said: "It was an absolutely fantastic day.

"I can't say thank you enough to the people who helped organise it and to the celebrities for being so friendly and accessible.

"This money means so much to us -- we will be able to fund the work of a respite nurse for half a year because of this."