A FATHER who lost his beloved twin boys to a rare condition will hold a hospice fundraiser in their memory.

Mike Illingworth, from Witney, is organising a memorial golf day at Oxford Golf Club for the sixth time.

It will be held on Friday, May 22 to raise money for Helen & Douglas House in East Oxford.

The children's hospice cared for his sons Ben and Ollie, who had a life-shortening metabolism disorder called MPS – Sanfilippo 111A.

Ben died in October 2012, shortly before his 10th birthday, and Ollie died in 2018, aged 15.

Mr Illingworth has fundraised for the hospice ever since and even climbed Mount Kilimanjaro last year, raising more than £8,000.

He said: "I am holding my sixth golf day to honour the memory of my amazing sons Ben and Ollie, whilst giving something back to Helen & Douglas House who supported the boys, to raise awareness about the fantastic work that they do.

"The boys were a fun-loving pair who enjoyed life, and the golf day mirrors their personalities by being a fun and relaxed day.

"Without Helen & Douglas House, there would have been less fun times and it is important to support the charity for all the families who desperately need the services that they provide."

ALSO READ: More about Mr Illingworth's experience at the hospice

The golf day will be of a 'four ball Stableford' set-up and teams of four can enter for a fee of £260.

This covers coffee and biscuits on arrival, a two-course buffet, auction and prize-giving after the game.

The golf club sits on the Cowley and Headington border and tee-off times start from 12.45pm.

Mr Illingworth said: "This is a great opportunity for individuals, family, friends or businesses to come together for an enjoyable day whilst making a positive contribution to a great local charity and all their families."

The twins were diagnosed at the age of three with the rare disorder, which affects one in 70,000 children

Alison Hooker, a community fundraising manager at Helen & Douglas House, said: "Mike is such an amazing supporter who continues to do so much to support our charity, which we are so grateful for.

"He continues to raise amazing amounts of money for us and take on wonderful fundraising challenges like climbing Kilimanjaro last year and the Three Peaks this year as well as his annual golf day.

"We cannot thank him enough for his help and support to ensure other families can receive the care and support his family had."

Mr Illingworth is also planning to take part in the Three Peaks 24 hour challenge in July this year.

Anyone interested in taking part in the memorial golf day in May can contact Mr Illingworth on 07919147754 or email mike.illingworth50@gmail.com.