The Padraig Harrington Charitable Foundation has donated EUR50,000 raised from one of the three Charity Shows hosted by Padraig in Dublin on January 21-22 to the Tsunami Aid Appeal though The European Tour International Relief Golf Fund.

Harrington said: “The Indoor Charity Golf Shows were a huge success and I’m delighted to say that the Saturday afternoon Show raised EUR50,000 specifically for the Tsunami Aid Appeal.

“The European Tour and the Membership are doing all they can to encourage all involved in golf to support the International Relief Golf Fund and I’m delighted to make this contribution. I would like to particularly thank Kartel, O2, Appleby Jewellers, Baggot Racing, Easy-putt, Hi-Tec Sports and Wilson Golf whose sponsorship was vital to the success of the Charity Shows.”

Harrington, winner of ten European Tour titles and twice a member of winning European Ryder Cup Teams, has requested that The European Tour International Relief Golf Fund organises for his donation to specifically assist GOAL which has responded to the Tsunami disaster in South East Asia.

GOAL, an international humanitarian agency, has responded to almost every major natural and man-made disaster and catastrophe since being founded in 1977 and is currently operational in 16 countries in the developing world. Most recently GOAL has been building 3,500 temporary shelters in Sri Lanka alone and providing 300,000 nets for the fishermen whose livelihoods were wiped out by the Tsunami.

George O’Grady, Executive Director of The European Tour, said: “We welcome Padraig Harrington’s valued support of The European Tour International Relief Golf Fund and acknowledge his request for his contribution to go direct to GOAL. Padraig is a strong supporter of charity, specifically through the Padraig Harrington Charitable Foundation, and we would like to thank him for his support.

“We are working with all our business partners around the world, including those in the Asian region where the co-sanctioned Enjoy Jakarta Standard Chartered Indonesia Open will be played as part of The European Tour International Schedule in Jakarta on March 24-27, to determine the most beneficial ways to keep channelling aid. Our challenge is to maintain the momentum to raise as much as we can and with the backing of our Members we will keep on encouraging the world of golf – professionals and amateurs – to donate to the Fund.”

The European Tour launched the International Relief Golf Fund with an initial donation of £50,000 and the organisation is providing a co-ordinated process for the sport to support the Aid Appeal put in place to help those whose lives have been devastated by the Tsunami.

Sir Michael Bonallack, the former Secretary of The Royal and Ancient and Non-Executive Director of The European Tour, is the Chairman of the International Relief Golf Fund. Cheques should be made payable to The European Tour and sent to The European Tour-International Relief Golf Fund, Wentworth Drive, Virginia Water, Surrey GU25 4LX.

You can also make a contribution by direct bank transfer. The bank account details are:

Sort Code: 20 53 30
Account Number: 40865699
IBAN: GB92 BARC 2053 3040 8656 99

For further information please contact:

The European Tour Communications Division
Tel: + 44 (0) 1344 840400
Fax: + 44 (0) 1344 840444
Email: media@europeantour.com