Charity nets top prize

Mark Crossley (left) with organiser Mark Williams and Shay Given (right).

YOU have to hand it to Athletic goalkeeper Mark Crossley as charity was the big winner from a golf tournament he staged in Spain.

The Mark Crossley Classic 2008, which was held in Marbella, raised over £10,000 which has paid for the installation of air conditioning at Fuensociale, a school for children with special needs.

Crossley and one of his best friends Mark Williams, whose business is arranging golfing holidays, came up with the event which was organised in the space of three months.

There were 18 teams of four and the players included Newcastle and Eire keeper Shay Given.

It is hoped to make the classic an annual event and sponsorship has already been secured for next year from Caterpillar, the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment.

That will help the tournament expand and the intention is that each team of four will include one celebrity.

Crossley is a keen golfer, a member at Sheffield club Wortley where he plays off a handicap of 10.