Cheques may be a thing of the past for many but for Graham Knights, the annual collection of a giant, novelty donation makes for a day of celebration.

Every year since 1999, the charity champion from Framingham Earl has organised a golf day in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support - and has now raised more than a quarter of a million pounds.

The £15,000 raised in 2021, which took the annual event past the £250,000 mark since its inception, funded Macmillan nurses to support 110 people fighting cancer in Norfolk.

Norwich Evening News:

In October 2022 he raised another £12,000, taking the overall fundraising total to £262,000.

The last event saw 27 teams - featuring 108 people - tackle Barnham Broom's Valley Course.

And even in 2020, under Covid restrictions, a smaller group managed to raise around £8,000.

Norwich Evening News: Del Sullivan, Shaun van Looy, Mark Burton , Mark Davis and Tara Davis, team winners at the 2020 Macmillan Charity Golf Day at Barnham BroomDel Sullivan, Shaun van Looy, Mark Burton , Mark Davis and Tara Davis, team winners at the 2020 Macmillan Charity Golf Day at Barnham Broom (Image: Graham Knights)

Mr Knights, 71, said: "People are just so generous and supportive.

"I always have a waiting list of people wanting to play on the day. I can't fit them all in and that's the case every year.

"It's fantastic. And over so many years as well."

Norwich Evening News: Del Sullivan, Kat Collier, Graham Knights and Mark Burton presenting the cheque at the 2021 Macmillan Charity Golf Day, which took the grand total to £250,000Del Sullivan, Kat Collier, Graham Knights and Mark Burton presenting the cheque at the 2021 Macmillan Charity Golf Day, which took the grand total to £250,000 (Image: Graham Knights)

For the last three years, Taverham-based MCB Financial Services has sponsored the event so all monies raised - including from raffles and auction prizes - go directly to Macmillan.

"We're rich with generosity," added Graham, who is also an ambassador to Macmillan in Norfolk.

"To raise £15,000 in one go takes lots of effort, but I enjoy it."

Norwich Evening News: Colin Brown, former Macmillan regional manager Alexandra Haswell, Graham Knights and Ellie Brown at the 2018 Macmillan Charity Golf DayColin Brown, former Macmillan regional manager Alexandra Haswell, Graham Knights and Ellie Brown at the 2018 Macmillan Charity Golf Day (Image: Graham Knights)

Although Graham is the main organiser and driving force, he thanked others who team up with him to bring the day to life each year. 

He added: "It was hard to raise money in 2022 because people are under so much pressure with the cost of living crisis.

"But this fundraiser really has snowballed over the years - I'm unable to stop and I have no wish to.

Norwich Evening News: Sponsor Colin Brown, Abbi Macgregor, Barry Edwards, Graham Knights, Sema Hussein - former Macmillan regional manager, Matt Gardner and Nick Traube at the 2017 Macmillan Charity Golf DaySponsor Colin Brown, Abbi Macgregor, Barry Edwards, Graham Knights, Sema Hussein - former Macmillan regional manager, Matt Gardner and Nick Traube at the 2017 Macmillan Charity Golf Day (Image: Graham Knights)

"I will continue to do that for as long as I can."

"This coming year will mark our silver anniversary, so I will have to work out how we can celebrate in style."

The 25th annual event will take place on October 6, 2023.