The legendary Guards Polo Club has raised £20,000 for Wexham Park Hospital and the Slough-based domestic abuse Dash Charity, by auctioning off the chance to enjoy a practice session on its new field the Princes Ground.

Clive Reid from the AFB Polo Team bid £10,000 to win the chance to practice on the field and doubled his bid to £20,000 on arrival - enabling both good causes to head home with a cheque for £10,000 each.

Mr Reid said: “I just wanted to thank the NHS for what it has done over the past few months, it has been amazing.

“It is so hard for all charities at this time so why not donate if you can.”

Representatives from Wexham Park Hospital and Dash were at the polo club's Smith’s Lawn headquarters on Friday - adhering to the club’s strict social distancing rules, to meet Clive and other members of the AFB team and receive their cheques.

They will be back on Sunday, August 2, for NHS Day – when Guards Polo Club will offer a complimentary day out at polo for all local NHS workers and their families – if the government’s Covid 19 regulations allow.

Sue Veltri, the head nurse at Wexham Park Hospital’s Emergency Assessment Centre said: “We would like to thank Clive Reid and Guards Polo Club for their donation. The money will go towards an outside terrace on the third floor of the unit so that all the staff can enjoy their breaks in a comfortable setting, out in the fresh air. Words cannot express how grateful we are.”

Alison Bourne, chief executive of The Dash Charity, said: “We are a small, local charity providing critical support to the residents of the Royal Borough and have never been busier in our 42-year history.”

The club is still taking donations to add to Clive's bid - email James Neighbour at cfo@guardspoloclub.com