Aureus teacher has fundraising to a tee

Move over Rory McIlroy – an Aureus School teacher has launched his own version of the Ryder Cup in order to raise money for charity.

Rob Hayden, Head of PE at Aureus, which is part of the GLF Schools multi-academy trust, has set up the Hayden Cup to support Sobell House Hospice in Headington, after his mother received end-of-life care there.

“The Hayden Cup is an annual invitational charity golf tournament held on the last weekend of July, with the host course changing each year,” he explained.

“Since its inception in 2022, the tournament has visited some of the UK’s premier golf venues, including The Belfry and Celtic Manor, and this year will be hosted at the prestigious Forest of Arden on 25 and 26 July.”

Now in its fifth year, the two-day competition includes both Fourballs and Singles, with two teams and 48 players taking part.

Alongside the matches, the weekend also features raffles, golfing challenges, and other fundraising activities, with the event already
having made more than £10,000 for the Hospice – a cause that is close to its founder’s heart.

Mr Hayden continued: “Sobell House cared for my mum before she passed away in 2017, and the compassion and support they showed made an enormous difference to my family.

“I initially climbed Kilimanjaro to raise money for the Hospice in 2018, but I wanted to create an annual event to continue supporting
them. That’s when the Hayden Cup began as a way of giving something back each year, and it has since grown into a real community event.”

He added: “Last year, we passed the £10,000 fundraising milestone, which I’m incredibly proud of.

“Founded to bring friends together through competitive golf, the Hayden Cup has grown into a much-loved annual event, while raising
vital funds for Sobell House Hospice.”

Aureus School is a five-form mixed entry school based in Didcot, Oxfordshire. The school joined GLF Schools in September 2017 and has classes from Year 7 to Year 11. 

For information about the school, please contact info@aureusschool.org.