The Max Factor with Max Clifford
Above: Max being interviewed by Chris Tarrant
Above: Max with Pauline Quirke, Billy Murray and Barry Daniels at Club La Costa
Above: Chris Tarrant on the green at La Cala Golf Resort
Above: Abi Palmer (right) with (L-R) Max's daughter Louise and Lucy Heather
Above: Chris Tarrant, Barry Daniels, the founder of The Rhys Daniels Trust, and Pete Sands
Above: Des and Jodie O'Connor, Jo Westwood, Max, Jessica Westwood and James Deakin
Above: Jo Westwood and Max Clifford
Above: Johnny Briggs, Jess Conrad and Billy Murray
Above: Stan Boardman entertains the crowd
Above: Upcoming vocalist Omar Simon woos the audience
Originally published in July's Surrey Life magazine
Every month, Elmbridge resident Max Clifford gives us an insight into his busy life in the county and beyond
Out of their own personal tragedy, Barry and Carmen Daniels created the Rhys Daniels Trust 14 years ago – a charity that provides much-needed support to families all over Britain.
From their own experiences during the tragic and terminal illnesses of their children Rhys and Charly, Barry and Carmen came into contact with many seriously ill children whose families couldn’t be with them in hospital. Location, finances, work and other family responsibilities are just some of the reasons that parents can’t always be there.
So the couple started the Rhys Daniels Trust, which has raised many millions of pounds towards accommodation that allows families the opportunity to stay together through difficult times. Along with the Duchess of Kent and the actress Pauline Quirke, I helped to establish this charity and have continued to support it ever since.
Eight years ago, as part of my support, I started a charity golf tournament at the spectacular golf resort of La Cala, set in the hills of Mijas in southern Spain.
The main reasons were to raise funds and awareness for the Rhys Daniels Trust and to help my client La Cala, which has since become the biggest golf resort in Spain, to get established. We achieved a successful PR marriage for both the charity and resort by providing a weekend of golf, top flight entertainment and lovely Spanish sunshine.
The Max Clifford Celebrity Golf Challenge has grown bigger and more successful every year and has raised close to £1 million since its inception. Initially, ten teams took part and we raised £40,000. This year, 40 teams entered and we will raise something in the region of £150,000 for the charity.
Apart from three days of golf, we also had celebration dinners at La Cala on the Thursday and the Hotel Puente Romana, in Marbella, on the Saturday. For the first time ever, the Friday night saw a spectacular cabaret and gala dinner at the picturesque Club La Costa.
This year, Bobbie Davro, Chris Tarrant, Stan Boardman, Des O’Connor and ‘Elvis’ were among those who helped to make the whole event a great triumph and Sky TV’s cameras were there to film the event for a one-hour special.
It’s a mark of how well this year’s event went that people are already booking up for next year.
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