Golf star Lee Westwood donates designer sports gear to BHF

But when Lee Westwood swung by a city centre charity shop unannounced, staff didn’t recognise him because he didn’t flag up who he was.

The sporting giant has shown that his generosity is on a par with his talent after donating more than 100 items to the British Heart Foundation.

And the 42-year-old, who recently moved to the Capital, was so keen to support the charity’s fundraising drive that he visited its Shandwick Place branch in person to hand over the brand new designer gear following a clear-out.

The stock went on sale in the shop on Friday – netting the charity £1650 in two days – but with items still up for grabs, there is a fair way to go.

General manager Janis Hogg said: “He just came in out of the blue and we didn’t know who he was at first.

“He brought in two large boxes – one with polo tops of all different colours still in their packets. They hadn’t even been opened.

“The other had keep-fit wear inside. He asked if we would like to have this as a donation and we said ‘Yes, very much so’. He was very nice.

“After he had helped us unload some of the stuff he just smiled at us and went.

“As far as we know he hasn’t been in the shop before but we certainly hope he comes back.”

The Ryder Cup star has set up a new base in the Capital, where his two children – Sam and Poppy – now live after he split from their mum.

He said: “The BHF does fantastic work and I’m delighted to be able to help such a good cause.”

The Dunlop items, including polo tops and T-shirts, would usually set customers back £50 each on the high street but they were on sale in the shop at a heavily discounted price of £20 each or two tops for £30.

Mrs Hogg added: “We are absolutely delighted to have received such a generous and unique donation to our Shandwick Place Shop and that Lee has chosen to support the BHF. This really does go to show the wealth and variety of items that our shops stock.

“We’re hoping that lots of golfing enthusiasts will pop down to the shop to see what we have to offer. Each purchase made will help in the fight against heart disease and mean the BHF can fund even more life-saving heart research across the UK.”

The shops are now encouraging budding and experienced golfers alike in the local area to make a visit to the shop to see what they have to offer and bag a bargain.

Each year, BHF shops raise around £30 million to help the BHF fight coronary heart disease, the nation’s single biggest killer. BHF stores sell 85,000 items every day and they have more than 20,000 volunteers across its 750 stores.

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