By Pamela McGowan

Last updated 05:40, Friday, 01 August 2008

BOWLERS from across Carlisle raised almost £1,500 for the local air ambulance at their annual charity event.

Hitting the target: Members of Currock Bowling Club raised £1,457 for the air ambulance at their charity bowling event on July 20. From left, club treasurer Derek Patrickson, club president Norman Jones and lady president Joan Edgar hand over the cash to Jan Hawkins, chairwoman of the Friends of The Pride of Cumbria

Some 20 teams took to the green for the tournament, held at Currock Bowling Club, on Sunday, July 20.

Each team played four games.

In between games, bowlers and spectators took time out to socialise and join in with a host of extra fundraising activities.

Stalls, including a tombola and raffle and refreshment stands, added hundreds of pounds to the final total.

This year the club’s lady and gentlemen presidents, Joan Edgar and Norman Jones, chose the Great North Air Ambulance as the charity to benefit.

On Wednesday they handed over a cheque for £1,457 to Jan and David Hawkins, from the Pride of Cumbria.

In previous years the annual event has raised thousands of pounds for various causes, including Mencap, the Eden Valley Hospice and the Alzheimer’s Society.

Last year the bowling club raised £1,291 for The Cumberland News’ Have A Heart Appeal, helping to buy new heart scanning technology for the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle.

The presidents said they wanted to thank everyone who supported the event on the day, especially the visiting teams and the volunteers who manned the stalls, and those who made donations.

They were delighted to have topped last year’s total and supported yet another good cause.