Donations from the Growling Swan golf group have now exceeded 92,000 baht within the last 18 months. This is not a large charity set up but a golf bar right here in Pattaya … just a bunch of farangs enjoying their golf and doing their best to support underprivileged children in the area.
Their most recent purchases from the charity funds they have raised include a large trampoline for the Mercy Center in Pattaya and the 25 children that are resident there; a water filtration system for school No. 9 whose existing system had exceeded its sell by date and was no longer a reliable sauce of clean water; swim wear, including goggles and hats, for the Father Ray Foundation’s younger children; and sports equipment for 4 schools in the backwoods of Pattaya who have children from poor families but who all just love playing sport.
Peter Blackburn distributes the sports equipment
How do they it? It is all the responsibility of Deefa the Dog to raise the necessary funds. Small fines are imposed for the slightest indiscretion like spilling your beer, arriving late for golf, forgetting some equipment and losing a ball in the water. The penalties are paid with a good heart and visits to those in need are well supported by the golfers.
Mayor Phinyo presents the trophy to the winners.
The 4 resource challenged schools mentioned above were recent recipients of a table tennis table, balls for football, volleyball, basketball and takrow, plus nets for the goals to put an end to those little problems about whether it would have been a goal or not.
Six members of The Growling Swan golf group, escorted by representatives from Pattaya Sports Club and YWCA, spent a very enjoyable 2 hours being entertained by the children at the schools. Refreshments were served on arrival and a football tournament took place between the 4 schools receiving the equipment, supported by cheerleaders, that were both energetic and vocal and who would have made any American football team proud.
Peter Grey hands over a runners-up trophy.
Preliminary games were completed before our arrival and we were pleased to be invited to see the final, which was witness to some brilliant individual skills. Mayor of Nongplalai, Khun Phinyo, presented the trophy to the winners and other trophies were presented by Peter Grey and Peter Blackburn of The Growling Swan.
Well done to all the members of The Growing Swan for their generosity and I am sure there will many more donations to come!
All the players say thank you to The Growling Swan.
Thai dancers entertained the visiting party from The Growling Swan and Pattaya Sports Club.
