The most talked-about man in world darts, 17-year-old Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler, got Colin Freeman’s annual series of darts tournaments off to a great start at Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk yesterday (4th January).
He wasn’t there, of course – he was said to be resting after winning the PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace for the first time last week.
But the darts hall at the town’s Pot Black venue was rammed for the first of Colin’s monthly charity events for the ME Association. And everybody there knew exactly why the place was buzzing!
“Since Luke Littler hit the headlines at the end of 2023, darts has been enjoying an epic boom right round the country, said Colin, who has been raising money for the ME Association for the past three years.
“We have a new generation of players emerging”, he told us after 37 players had taken part in his seven-hour knockout tournament yesterday – the first of 12 monthly events he will be organising for the MEA this year.
“We had several players yesterday between the ages of 13 and eighteen – all inspired by Luke Littler.
“Throughout 2024, Pot Black has had hundreds of young players in the club playing darts. Since October 2023, the venue has gone from one dartboard to six boards and every one of them was busy on Saturday.
“Now that Luke has won the world championship, we await the knock-on effect!”
Colin has chosen to support The ME Association because his youngest daughter Stephanie (33) has suffered with ME for 21 years – ever since going down with glandular fever when she was 11.
Colin’s partner, Gemma was, as always, his biggest support on the day!
Saturday’s event raised a stonking £400 for the ME Association.
In 2024, his 12 monthly knockout tournaments for the MEA pulled in a grand total of £3,295 for the charity.
Photos show glimpses inside the darts hall as Colin's tournament gets under way, and our acknowledgement of the magnificent result he achieved for us in 2024.
