THIS year's Lawrie McMenemy Celebrity Golf Day has raised more than £15,000 for Autism Hampshire.

The legendary former Saints manager returned to Bramshaw Golf Club for the annual event, which had to be cancelled last year due to Covid.

Businesses from across Hampshire entered teams and were each allocated a special celeb guest to play alongside, including ex Saints and England favourite Matt Le Tissier.

The day consisted of an 18-hole shotgun start golf tournament followed by a gala evening of entertainment hosted by popular comedian and impressionist Mike Osman.

The event raised £15,398, including £2,000 raised from a guitar signed by Brian May and donated to Autism Hampshire for the event by M&M Music The Guitar Store, Southampton.

Other highlights included Matt Le Tissier winning a nearest to the pin competition and Autism Hampshire’s CEO Debra Harrison-Sales presenting Lawrie McMenemy MBE with an award in recognition of his support with fundraising over the past 16 years.

There were two sponsors of the event – Meachers and JP Morgan – who also entered teams on the day.

Autism Hampshire was founded by a group of local parents of children with autism in Southampton in the late 1960s.

It is a registered charity that delivers services to meet the diverse needs of people on the Autism spectrum across Hampshire through an information and advice service, support with education, Autism awareness training, residential care and supported living, assistance with work placements, social groups in the community and technology support.

Funds from the event will be allocated to the development of Autism Hampshire’s Spectra5 App.