Seniors gave old golf balls a new lease of life at Orchid Country Club yesterday to raise funds for wellness programmes in their constituencies.

Orchid Country Club donated 400,000 used balls to the seniors from Aljunied GRC and Hougang SMC who decorated them using pens, bottle caps and felt.

The ornaments - which can be used as paper weights and Christmas decorations among other things - will go on sale at various community events over a period of one year to raise $10,000. The money will be used to subsidise vaccinations, health screenings and daily health essentials for the needy.

Among the volunteers yesterday were elderly people who have benefited from programmes such as free basic health checks and personal health coaching.

Volunteer Thng Meow Huang, 59, was happy that seniors were given the chance to raise funds for other seniors. "Handicraft activities encourage old people to learn new skills," she said.

Orchid Country Club usually disposes of golf balls after around six months of use. General manager Peter Goh, 63, said: "This initiative will allow us to use used golf balls for a good purpose in the future."

The golf ball craft sessions were first mooted by geriatrician Carol Tan, 54, chairman of The Good Life Cooperative, and Mr Lim Boon Heng, special adviser to the People's Association board of management, to encourage seniors to keep active.

Paya Lebar Active Ageing Committee chairman Low Ngian Woo, 66, noted that such activities will help build stronger ties within the community. "We are able to provide a platform for seniors to contribute back to society and help fellow seniors," he said.

In addition to crafting, there were also health talks and medical screenings at yesterday's event.