Lynn Pritchatt, one of crown green bowls leading players, is leading a group on a walk to raise funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association to support people affected by Motor Neurone Disease.
Last Sunday, Lynn and her soon-to-be-worn-out group started on the walk which will take in 14 counties in 14 days. Something like 400 km’s will be covered in the walk from Stoke Prior BC in Bromsgrove to the last day which will be from the Waterloo Hotel in Blackpool to Fleetwood Bowling Club which is the new home for the Waterloo competitions. I don’t know how many steps that will be but Lynn has the shortest legs so will win the steps competition.
I’m sure the name of Mel Evans MBE is known to just about everyone in the bowling world. Mel was a really good player, runner-up in the British Senior Merit in 1982, and was the other half to Lynn in a fantastic pair’s partnership both on and off the green. In 2013 Mel received his MBE for his services to crown green bowls and was at the forefront of attempts to promote, and publicise, the sport through broadcasts on the internet and television in his role as BCGBA Commercial Officer.
Mel and Lynn’s world, and that of their family and friends, was rocked by his Motor Neurone’s diagnosis in April 2016 and Mel succumbed to the disease in July 2017. It robbed the sport of one of its most vital supporters who had so many plans for the future of the sport, but Lynn and the family lost much more.
In the time since then Lynn has established a charitable foundation in Mel’s name to raise funds for medical and scientific research. Lynn has also created bowling events to promote and raise funds for the charity including a Battle of Sexes and a North v South contest.
The walk has been blessed with the support from John Parrott MBE (Honorary Patron of the BCGBA and friend to Mel and Lynn) and Kevin Sinfield OBE (Rugby legend and fundraiser for the MND research). Events have been planned for many of the venues hosting the walkers and they should be proud of the work they have done to support the fund-raising efforts.
If you would like to donate then all amounts are welcome, either at one of the host venues or on Lynn’s just giving page
