The Friends of Johnson Community Hospital would like to extend a huge thank you to Maisie Belding and Jan Sinclair of Spalding Indoor Bowls Club for their incredible efforts in raising funds for good causes.
Throughout the summer months, Maisie and Jan dedicated their time to organising and running two bowls drives each week – a fantastic initiative known as Bowling For Fun. This initiative took place during the club’s quieter period, as many of the bowlers were engaged in outdoor games. It proved to be so popular that there was rarely a time when all the rinks were not in use!
Their commitment to Bowling For Fun was extraordinary, as Maisie and Jan were so busy ensuring the smooth running of the games that they rarely had the chance to play themselves. Each session ended with a cup of tea and a raffle, where bowlers could relax and enjoy some well-deserved social time.
At the end of the season, the remarkable sum of £1,250 had been raised. In keeping with the spirit of community giving, the bowlers were given the opportunity to vote on how the money should be allocated. After discussions, five deserving causes were chosen and endorsed by the Bowls Committee Members, with each receiving a donation of £250:
- St Barnabas Hospice
- The Friends of Johnson Community Hospital
- Guide Dogs for the Blind
- The Tulip Ward at Johnson Community Hospital
- S.I.B.C. Junior Bowlers
The Friends of Johnson Community Hospital are incredibly grateful to Maisie, Jan, and all the bowlers who took part and gave so generously.
Spalding Indoor Bowls Club was established in 1973 and is based at the Castle Sports Complex priding themselves in catering to all age groups including a thriving junior section that meets on Saturday mornings during term time.
New members are always welcome, they have a team of coaches who are able to give group or 1-2-1 tuition. There is something for everyone, social bowls, club leagues, county leagues or even higher. The club has produced a number of national and international players at different age groups over the years.
Anthony Cronin, Treasurer, Spalding Indoor Bowls Club said: “During the summer the club hosts social bowls that are run on a more informal basis than club leagues. Members that attend these games are able to nominate and then vote for local charities to receive a donation from the entry fees. We are delighted that the Friends of Johnson Community Hospital has been voted for as the Hospital plays a crucial role in health care for the Spalding area.”
Christine Lawton – Friends’ President said: “Small, but extremely welcome, charitable donations have come our way recently, and we are very grateful to Tesco of Boston and the Spalding Indoor Bowls Club for £100 and £250 gifts respectively. On the 10th January I spent a pleasant hour or so at the Bowls Club (which has a very nice arena at the Leisure Centre) to receive this donation, together with three other recipients of the generosity of the bowlers. The Tulip Suite, Guide Dogs for the Blind and St Barnabas Hospice were the other very good causes and it was a pleasure to meet with them and to watch the bowlers at play. This is a very successful Club with a national profile and is a credit to the club and its officers. Thanks to one and all.”
In the photo, those representing the worthy causes are from left to right: representing the Guide Dogs for the Blind, Christine Lawton, Chairman, Friends of Johnson Community Hospital, representatives from the Tulip Ward, Maisie Belding and Jan Sinclair (organisers), representatives from the St Barnabas Hospice and S.I.B.C. Juniors.