Individual Spotlight: Marc
Disabled people come together for a bowling competition to raise funds for The Fountain Centre.
On Tuesday 12 November the Surrey Choices Farnham Community Group held a bowling tournament in aid of their Local Charity of The Year, The Fountain Centre. The Fountain Centre is a charity for cancer patients, their families and Carers located in the St Luke’s Cancer Unit at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford.
Ian Billing who has a learning disability and is supported by the Farnham Community Group and was behind this event. The idea of a Bowling competition came from his love of sport. Ian and his family have always been involved in sport which has given him confidence and a strong sense of teamwork. With encouragement from Surrey Choices employees, Ian planned on how he was going to put on this bowling tournament. Spectrum Bowl, Guildford Spectrum Leisure Complex supported this project by allowing the group to use the bowling facilities free of charge to ensure all monies raised for the event go directly to The Fountain Centre.
Ian wanted this event to be an opportunity to engage with local communities across Surrey and so invited local organisations such as the Woodlarks Centre who help those with physical disabilities and Firgrove, a residential home for people with learning disabilities. The response he received was beyond expectation with more than 60 people from all over Surrey attending. A total of £300 was raised for The Fountain Centre and for those with cancer.
Speaking about the event, Ian told us:
“This bowling tournament has been amazing, I have met not just my friends but many people I have not met before. It’s great that Guildford Spectrum Leisure Complex have given us use of the bowling area, they have been so helpful.”
Ian then went on to say:
“I would like to thank Tony Gorham O.B.E and Mr Elgy, who helped us put on this event and all those who came and donated toward The Fountain Centre, it is like a dream come true, everyone that’s come has said that they have had a brilliant time.”
Surrey Choices have a Just Giving fundraising page for The Fountain Centre, if you would like to make a donation please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/surrey-choices
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