R Robinson and Son, Ballymoney donate highest sponsorship

Eight teams from Ballymoney, Coleraine, Portrush and further afield all collected sponsorship to compete in the annual Ten-Pin Bowling tournament at the Jet Centre in Coleraine.

The teams included: Special Olympics (The Jet Set), Royal Portrush (Royal Flush), Post Office (Teams A Plus and A Minus), R Robinson and Son (Teams Robbers and Hunters, Great Bowls of Fire and Shake Rattle and Bowl) plus a team of Chest Heart & Stroke volunteers.

Having returned the prestigious trophy, last year’s winners Royal Mail A were hoping to retain the title of Chest Heart & Stroke Ten-Pin Bowling Champions and again beat the local rivals.

Trophies were also prizes available for the runners up as well as for the highest and lowest male and female scores and the team who raised the most sponsorship money. Certificates of appreciation were also present to all the teams who took part ensuring that no one went home empty handed.

Delighted with the turn out and amount raised Chairman of the Causeway Support Group of NI Causeway Chest Heart & Stroke, Lorna Wilmont explained: “We had eight teams turn up and play on the night and a staggering £1,715.50 was collected. This is a fantastic accomplishment especially considering the big Chelsea and Manchester United match was on.

“As always I would like to thank everyone who took part on the night, who gave money or simply donated their time and energy to the event.

“I would especially like to thank the Special Olympics team who came along with £345.20 sponsorship money as they ‘wanted to give something back to another charity’. This was their first time competing in the contest and they managed to make a clean sweep, even knocking the reigning champions, Post Office A, for the last few years off the top spot.

“Another thanks goes to Wallace Wilmot from Royal Flush who kindly presented a prestigious new trophy to the contest, allowing the Special Olympics to keep this year’s winning trophy as a memento of their debut appearance!

“Finally the charity would like to say a massive special thanks to R Robinson and Son, Ballymoney who raise the most sponsorship - an amazing £790.”

The winners were:

1st Special Olympics, The Jet Set with a score of 713

2nd Post Office A Plus Team with a score of 710

The highest scores were won by Emma from Special Olympics with 135 and Sean from Special Olympics with 158.

The lowest scores were won by Alex from Shake Rattle and Bowl and Teresa from Royal Flush.

The highest sponsorship money was collected by R Robinson and Son, Ballymoney with £790.

Valerie Saunders, Area Appeals Co-ordinator of NICHS added: “All the money raised will go to help fund the vital work carried out by Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke.

“The money will be directed towards providing support and services to those who suffer from chest, heart and stroke illnesses in the local community, of which over 7,500 people die each year - that’s more then 20 every day.”

For more information about the NI Chest Heart & Stroke, supporting their work or volunteering please contact the charity on 028 9032 0184.