stouravonmagazine.co.uk
42 New Stour & Avon, April 8, 2022
Sport
Harry set to tee off in memory of his Nan
by Lorraine Gibson A Bournemouth golf pro whose tattoos, colourful clothes and dyed hair once saw him banned from some clubhouses has proven you can’t judge a book by its cover. Big-hearted Harry Shaw, 29, from Winton and known as the ‘Tattooed Golf Coach’, is taking part in 25 competitions across the UK and Europe this season and will donate half his winnings to the Christchurch charity which helped care for his terminally-ill grandmother. The money will go to Macmillan Caring Locally, which supports the Macmillan Unit Hospice in Christchurch. “My Nan, Helen Hannant, died a month ago aged 86 following a brave battle with cancer,” says Harry. “She was emphatic she wanted to stay at home during her final weeks and she was able to do this with the help of my mum, my aunties and Debbie White, advanced nurse specialist at the Macmillan Unit. He adds: “The care the Mac Unit offered my Nan was incredible - I cannot thank Debbie in particular, enough. “Nan spoke so highly of her and when I said I’d fundraise for the unit, she was very happy.” Harry, who
CLOSE-KNIT: Harry’s Nan Helen Hannant with Harry, right, and his brothers Lewy Shaw, back, and Spencer Savage
started playing golf at the age of six and was competing at county level aged 13, said: “It will be wonderful to know her legacy is living on in the help we hope to give other patients.” The fashion-conscious golfer now has his own coaching studio, a junior golf academy at Parley Golf Centre and
with his brother, Lewy, has launched Shaw Golf, a clothing brand featuring brightly-coloured golf hoodies and polo shirts; 50 per cent of the sales profits will also go to the charity. On his passion for golf, Harry said: “I fell in love with the sport as a child and count myself extremely lucky to have been able to compete and now teach new generations. “I don’t really fit the traditional image of the golfer. My tattoos and loud clothing have seen me banned from clubhouses in the past. But I’m happy that golf is becoming more inclusive... a sport for everyone, and my clothing reflects that. “My hoodies are bold with different-coloured cancer-ribbon logos and the irreverent slogan FU Cancer. “I’ve had quite a few pre-orders and am hoping more people
will buy one – whether they play golf or not - knowing they are helping Macmillan Caring Locally. “Fingers crossed I will have a great season and win some good money for the charity. “One of my sponsors, Copper Monkey Consulting, are matching my donations for the season, which is amazing. “I have some great sponsors this year - Echo Pure Print Management, Vee Fitness, Gordon Barker Sales, Lettings and Commercial and Secure Life Solutions – who’ve funded my entry fees to the competitions, meaning I can donate even more to the hospice.” Lin Sharp, fundraising and communications director of Macmillan Caring Locally, said: “What Harry is doing for us this year is incredible and we cannot thank him enough. His support will make a real difference to the people and families we support and will be a truly fitting tribute to his Nan Helen.” To support Harry visit: justgiving.com/ fundraising/thetattooed golfcoach.
