A family from Aldridge has raised a tee-riffic £3,350 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity after organising a golf day in memory of their two-and-a-half-year-old daughter.

Jo and David Tolley’s, golf day has been an annual affair for the last two decades with the latest event marking the 20-year anniversary of their daughter, Danya Leigh’s passing.

After a stressful birth, Danya Leigh was diagnosed with Downs Syndrome and was immediately transferred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Jo and her husband David followed anxiously and were shocked to hear doctors confirm that Danya Leigh also had a congenital heart condition called atrioventricular septal defect, or AVSD, which meant there were holes between the chambers of her heart, and her arteries were narrower than they should have been.

In the two-and-a-half years that followed, Danya Leigh was constantly in and out of hospital, undergoing operations to try and repair her tiny heart, and then again when she contracted bronchiolitis. Sadly, her heart couldn’t cope. Doctors had done all they could to save her, but Danya Leigh went into heart failure.

The family were absolutely devastated and struggled to cope with losing their little girl. But just a few months later, David, who is now a keen golfer, was approached by his good friend Dave Harvey, who had gathered a few more pals and suggested they set up a golf tournament called the ‘Danya Leigh Cup’ in tribute to her.

Every year since, the golf day has evolved, with Jo and David taking the reins as organisers. Some years, there are as many as 120 players taking part, including Danya Leigh’s sisters, Yazmin and Zoe. This year, as well as the competition, which was held at Great Barr Golf Club, there was plenty more fundraising, including a raffle and auction, with prizes generously donated, and local firm, NV Roofing, stepping forward to sponsor the day.

Jo said: “When we lost Danya Leigh, we made a decision that we would always fundraise for the hospital, as the doctors and staff worked so hard to save her. Our golf day has just got bigger and bigger every year and we’re always astounded by the support we receive and just how many teams enter to play. It means the world to us to be able to remember our little girl this way.”

Miranda Williams, Head of Public Fundraising at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “Losing a child leaves an enormous hole to fill but we’re always so grateful to our families who choose to channel their grief and remember them by fundraising for us.

“Jo and her family have created a wonderful legacy for Danya Leigh, as the incredible amounts raised for us over the years through this annual golf tournament, are helping us do more for the 90,000 sick kids we treat every year and make a real and lasting difference to their lives.”