Darts salvo that turned into a triumph for Colin and Gemma!

The opening salvo in a series of darts tournaments being played out in the East of England to benefit The ME Association turned into a triumph for Colin Freeman yesterday (Saturday, 4^th February).

Colin – who conducted a solo darts tour of England for The MEA last summer when he amassed a grand total of 1,000,001 points at 30 venues – was able to put a whopping £615 into our bank account this morning.

The first of his open knockout darts tournaments for local league players and beyond saw 39 players spending the day at the Westbury Social Club on the outskirts of Bury St Edmunds.

Four boards were in play the whole day as players from as far afield as Lowestoft and Mildenhall, including a mix of veterans and promising up-and-comers, men and women, enjoyed the convivial atmosphere.

Mini-bus driver Colin, who organised with event with his partner Gemma, told us: “We’ll be busy all day, playing right up to 8pm.

“It’s a bit of an experiment, to be honest. We thought we’d pick a quiet day in Suffolk when all the main county players from our local leagues were scattered round the country playing championship matches. So, while the big cats are away, we’d thought we give everyone else a chance to be competitive.

“I also wanted to have a look see at the up-and-coming darts talent!”

Colin, whose daughter Stephanie has been bedbound with M.E. since Christmas after suffering with the illness for years, added:

“If all goes well, I think we will put on another two or three knockout tournaments like this for The MEA over the coming year.”

Colin, as someone who was there if only for a little while after lunch, I can tell you it went very well indeed.  Thanks so much for inviting me.

Tony Britton
Senior Fundraising Consultant, The ME Association
tony.britton@meassociation.org.uk Mob: 07393 805566