A ROYAL Anglian soldier helped a fundraising golf day make �3,000 for a forces charity after he was invited by a retired major from his regiment.

A ROYAL Anglian soldier helped a fundraising golf day make �3,000 for a forces charity after he was invited by a retired major from his regiment.

Sunday's event saw 86 players tee off at Swaffham Golf Club in aid of the Help for Heroes charity.

The prizes were presented by 21-year-old guest of honour L/Cpl Patrick Casey, who was sent by the Royal Anglian Regiment to help out club captain Gordon Halewood - a long-serving former officer.

L/Cpl Casey, from Bawdeswell, said: 'I don't know much about golf, but it was great to go and represent the regiment. If people are raising this money for us, we have to show how much we appreciate it. I was really impressed with the amount of support we had down there and the amount of money they raised.'

L/Cpl Casey said his appreciation for the charity's work was heightened after his last tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2007.

'I have got a few mates who were injured, so that is a big part of it,' he said.

Mr Halewood, who served with the regiment for 39 years, said: 'It is a fantastic amount of money. My first target was �1,000 so this is beyond my wildest dreams. Patrick talked to everyone and was a very good representative for the regiment, and for the army.'

Mr Halewood said the event could not have happened without the help of club members Anne Ewer, Chris Pealing and David Mulinder.