Manx golfers tee off for charity

The building houses 88 children orphaned in the tsunami

Golfers in the Isle of Man are teeing off to raise money for a Sri-Lankan orphanage at an annual tournament.

The Sulby Glen Hotel Charity Golf Tournament will take place at Glen Truan Golf Links in Bride in aid of the Vipulananda Orphanage in Sri Lanka.

The competition was booked up almost a year in advance and the 104 golfers will play in 26 different teams.

It is the third event in support of the charity which has been supported by islanders since the 2004 tsunami.

The Vipulananda Orphanage houses 88 children who lost their parents when the area was devastated in the Boxing Day disaster.

The tsunami killed more than 40,000 people and made over 1,200 children orphans in Sri Lanka.

Raise cows

All the money raised will go towards medical supplies, toiletries, school equipment and food for a special celebration day when the children have a party and receive a gift.

The organiser of the tournament, Rosie Christian said: "The money raised will be sent to the orphanage next year and it means the orphanage can buy their much needed supplies.

"Far more importantly, we are able to develop a one to one relationship with the children from the orphanage."

Previous fund-raising efforts have enabled the orphanage to rebuild a cattle shed and dairy and allowed the children to be self supporting in raising their own cows.

This year organisers hope they will raise enough to repair walls that have remained damaged since the tsunami.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the fundraising efforts for the Vipulananda Orphanage can make it through the Sulby Glen Hotel.