Sarah Pearson, Mairi Raby, Jane Parker, Janie Reese, Jo Booker Jackie Hamilton, Kelly Mackenzie, and Jo Neep spent a total of 15 hours across Millbrook Resort, where they played the 36-hole course, and Arrowtown golf course, completing the 18-hole course twice, as part of The Longest Day challenge raising money for Cancer Society.

It’s the third consecutive year that the women — with some slightly different members each year — have participated in the event. While they’ve all been affected in some way by cancer, the latest day on the course was a particularly poignant one for Jo Neep, who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2017 and was too sick to join in last year. She says living with her treatable but incurable cancer is a mental and physical challenge.

"I am both touched and proud that my golfing buddies are continuing the effort to raise funds for the Cancer Society," she said.

Arrowtown She Loves Golf coach Janie Reese said the women were particularly grateful to the two golf clubs supporting them with accessible tee-times, carts, and sponsored green fees. She said that without Millbrook Resort Golf Club and Arrowtown Golf Club’s assistance, The Birdies wouldn’t have been able to achieve their goal - which to date has raised more than $9,000 for the Cancer Society.

The Birdies are also indebted to their support crew, with them from dawn till dusk, who kept them hydrated and fuelled. Reese said The Birdies dressed in Hawaiian-themed attire to represent the many bright and variable attributes and attitudes which a support crew can bring to a cancer patient.

To donate further to The Birdies and their endeavours, click on the website

longestday.org.nz/t/the-birdies-team