Bainsford bowler says thanks to Strathcarron with £7000 cheque

Bowlers from across the district have helped a terminally ill man raise almost £7000 for Strathcarron Hospice in just over one week.

Bainsford Bowling Club member Billy Hill was diagnosed with cancer around ten weeks ago.

Sadly, despite him only being 53 years old, doctors said there was nothing they could do.

Billy, who runs his own ceramic tiling business, spent ten days in Strathcarron for pain relief care and was so impressed with what had been done for him that he said he wanted to give something back.

Friend and fellow lawn bowler Tom Carberry suggest holding a bowl-a-thon to raise some much-needed funds for the hospice..

Tom said: “I suggested we played two ends of bowls at all the 19 bowling clubs in the district.

“Billy was very excited about doing this challenge so within a week I had contacted all the clubs urging them to support the event.

“I also set up a Justgiving page for donations.”

Supported by another of Billy’s good friends, John Derks, they started their day at 8.30am at Dunmore Bowling Club and finishing at Billy’s home club in Bainsford a little more than eight hours later.

Tom added: “It was very emotional as we were greeted by Billy’s wife Linda and daughter Caitlin, as well as his family and many from the bowling community.

“We were able to present a cheque to Billy’s sister, Violet Falconer, who is a staff nurse at the hospice.

“The JustGiving page raised £2423 in a week and donations on the day from all the clubs raised a further £4450, making a grand total of £6873 for Strathcarron Hospice which was a staggering amount raised in a week or so.”

Billy is pictured next to his sister, as, left to right, Barry Phillips, president Bainsford Bowling club, Tom Carberry and John Derks look on.

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