The inaugural tournament of the Mike Weir Golf Drive for Kids, a national fundraising initiative in support of Children's Miracle Network member Children's Hospitals across Canada was held at Sunningdale Golf & Country Club in London, Ontario.  A Cocktail Party on Sunday, June 24th and golf tournament on June 25th provided a tremendous kick-start to the program raising $562,000 to help build the new Children's Hospital of Western Ontario at London Health Sciences Centre. 

Almost 700 people gathered on Sunday to meet Master's Champion, Mike Weir, and 20 Champion children from Children's Hospital.  Highlights of the evening included Mike presenting special commissioned medals to each child in recognition of their medical struggles and triumphs as patients at Children's.  A silent and live auction followed, the highlight of which was the opportunity of playing with Mike Weir being auctioned off to the highest bidder. 

On Monday, 288 golfers teed off from the two Sunningdale Courses which was followed by Sunningdale's Executive Chef Alfred Estephan's sumptuous meal followed by another live and silent auction.

The Mike Weir Miracle Golf Drive For Kids will bring together individuals, sponsors and golf courses in united nationwide fundraising events to benefit the 14 hospitals that make up the Children's Miracle Network in Canada.  Supported by the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada (NGCOA Canada), the Mike Weir Miracle Golf Drive For Kids will team up with the NGCOA Canada and their ‘Take a Kid to the Course Week', which takes place July 2-8, 2007, as both initiatives are child focused and community based.  This new relationship provides a unique vehicle through which participating golf courses and individuals wishing to support the cause can now raise funds for kids and the Children's Miracle Network hospital in their community.

Locally, money raised at this tournament will go to Children's Health Foundation to help build the NEW Children's Hospital of Western Ontario in London. Children's Health Foundation is a member of Children's Miracle Network.

About Children's Health Foundation
Children's Health Foundation funds specialized health care equipment and programs at Children's Hospital of Western Ontario at London Health Sciences Centre and breakthrough research into childhood diseases at the Children's Health Research Institute. To learn more, go to www.childhealth.ca.

Children's Health Foundation is also leading the way to help build the New Children's Hospital of Western Ontario, now being constructed at Baseline and Wellington Roads in London. The NEW Children's will provide more light, more space, more hope. It has been designed from the ground up for the special needs of sick children and their families and includes nearly three times the space, special areas for children's care and specialized procedures, play areas, even sleeping accommodations for parents so moms and dads can always be close to their child.