Teen Completes 24-Hour Golfathon to Support Brother with Locked-In Syndrome.
A teenager has played golf for 24 hours continuously to raise funds for his older brother, who has been provisionally diagnosed with partial locked-in syndrome due to damage to his brain stem.
Dylan Coppock, 14, began his epic challenge in October at Hartford Golf Club, near Northwich, to add to the fundraising pot for his 32-year-old brother Oli, who requires specialist care and support after undergoing several brain operations to remove a tumour.
Dylan teed off at 9 a.m. on the nine-hole Hartford course and played until dark. He then switched to the club’s Adventure Golf Course and Trackman Driving Range, playing through the night before finishing back on the course at 9 a.m. the next morning.
Oli’s Condition
Oli’s condition, known as locked-in syndrome, means he can only communicate by yes and no using his eyelids, slight head movements, or shrugs. He cannot move his body below the neck. Despite this, his mind remains as sharp, alert, and humorous as ever.
“It must be terrifying to be inside his head, unable to make your body do even the simplest things,” Dylan said. “He breathes through a tracheotomy and is fed via a tube.”
Oli remains determined to recover, with plans to rewire his brain so signals can travel down alternative nerves. The process starts with trying to wiggle his big toe—something he cannot yet do but continues to attempt daily. Specialist rehabilitation will be essential to help Oli regain any bodily function.
Dylan’s Efforts
Dylan is no stranger to fundraising. Before the Golfathon, he walked 30 miles with his family from Manchester to Liverpool, starting and finishing in the dark. The Golfathon became his next big idea.
“My 24-hour Golfathon is making sure that as many people as possible hear about him,” Dylan explained. “A few people will be kind enough to contribute what they can afford to his GoFundMe fundraiser and, together, we’ll give my big bro the chance he deserves to get well.”
Dylan continued: “I want to see him again standing on his own two feet, waving and cheering me on from the touchline while I play the game of my life in goal for him. He was one of my biggest fans.”
A Marathon Effort
Dylan’s Golfathon was an extraordinary feat. He played five rounds of nine-hole golf, each with different partners. Throughout the night, he hit approximately 2,000 balls on the Trackman Driving Range, walked 40 miles, and consumed plenty of pizza to stay energized. By the end, Dylan had blisters on both his hands and feet.
The challenge wasn’t just about playing; a raffle was also held to raise additional funds. Prizes included paintings by Dylan and Oli’s father, Steve Coppock, as well as alcohol, chocolates, and restaurant vouchers.
Father Steve Coppock shared his pride:
“Just a massive big thanks to Hartford Golf Club for hosting and staying open all night for Dylan’s fundraising. It was mega. Dylan was asleep before the five-minute drive from the club to our house on Winnington was complete and stayed asleep till midnight! He didn’t play golf for a week after the event while his hands and feet recovered!”
Incredible Community Support
The Golfathon raised an impressive £29,265 and gained media attention, with coverage from Granada Reports and an interview with Paul Smith to spread the word.
For those inspired by Dylan’s efforts or interested in Oli’s story, donations can still be made via the GoFundMe page.
“Let’s get united for Oli and help him on his journey to recovery,” Dylan urged.
