Thanks for Stanton Bowls Club after charity day raises nearly £2.5k for Bury St Edmunds-based charity Brightstars

A play leader has thanked a bowls club for raising a ‘huge’ amount of money for her charity that supports children and young adults with SEND.

Stanton Bowls Club has presented Bury St Edmunds-based charity Brightstars with a cheque for just under £2,500 following its successful charity day on July 28.

The bowls club’s charity day involved a bowls tournament between 24 teams totalling 72 bowlers from across the county and Norfolk. There was also an auction, raffle, spider competition and refreshments for sale, with all the proceeds from the day going to Brightstars.

Brightstars is based at the Bury Community Hub, in Hollow Road, and provides a respite facility for parents and a safe play setting for the children on alternate Saturdays throughout the year. There’s a morning session for up to 15 children aged 5-11, and then at 1.30-4.30pm a session for children and young adults aged 12-19.

All Brightstars’ young members have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Play leader Sam Shepherd said Stanton Bowls Club had raised ‘a huge’ amount of money for the small, local charity and they were very grateful.

She said with the money raised, Brightstars is holding a ‘families day’ on Saturday, August 31, for all its members, their families and all those involved in the group.

“This is the first time we have ever been able to do this in eight years of the club running and we are very excited to do this,” said Sam. “We will also be putting the rest of the money towards some sensory equipment that we will use at the club.”

She said Lee Leggett, the bowls club captain, had organised a ‘wonderful day’ for everyone involved and had some very generous donations from all clubs involved, and Air Power East, Fordham & Son Plasterers and Anglia Autos sponsored the day.

Adnams brewery and Bradgate Pool donated items and services for the auction.

Sam said Brightstars would like to publicly thank Lee Leggett, Jason Sewell (chairman) and all involved at Stanton Bowls Club who took part and contributed to the charity day.

She added: “We can't thank them enough.”

For more information about Brightstars email brightstarsbse@btinternet.com

Stanton Bowls Club runs a 'rising stars' training group every Sunday morning from 10am-12pm for children who would like to try out the sport.

There are currently 70 members aged 8-80, but the club would love to see some new faces come and join them and benefit from what the club community has to offer.