TV star launches 24-hour Bowlathon for Children In Need

Melton Mowbray bowlers have started their latest Bowlathon in support of the BBC Children In Need charity.

East Midlands Today television presenter, Anne Davies, delivered the first bowl at noon today (Thursday) and 48 players will play for 24 hours until the same time on Friday.

There will be four rinks operating at Melton Indoor Bowls Club with six players on each throughout the challenge, with players rotating on and off and having naps along the way.

Last year’s inaugural Bowlathon at the Leicester Road club raised more than £4,500 for the charity, which supports children and young people across the UK and has Pudsey Bear as its official mascot.

Shortly before delivering that first bowl, Anne told the Melton: “I think Children In Need is a high point in the year.

“When you hear about the children the charity helps and the organisations which depend on it you realise how important it is.

“What other organisation has a bear that everyone knows its name?”

There are players of all ages taking part, ranging from 90-year-old Clive Underwood to some aged in their 20s.

Nigel May, a junior vice-president at the club, recalls the challenge of taking part last year, when he reckons he was awake for 36 hours.

He said: “We’ve got 40-odd bowlers taking part this year and at least 30 of them will be going straight through with the occasional rest.

“I remember one bowler saying last year ‘I don’t want to go sleep because I might miss something.

“You can’t really prepare for something like this. I went to bed a bit earlier but I know it is going to be a long night.”

Melton & Syston MP was also there are at the start of the Bowlathon. He said: “This is a great community effort for a very good cause.”

Bowls club members and their families have donated prizes for a raffle to help generate more funds for the cause.

Go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/nigel-may-3 if you would like to donate to the Bowlathon.