A BOWLING club is appealing for donations from the community to remain supported amid the pandemic.

Members of Boscombe Cliff Bowling Club, which was formed in 1904, have set up a Crowdfunder page to ensure the club can come out on the other side of the pandemic, as well as complete vital works.

The outbreak of Covid-19 resulted in reduced funds, activity and fewer members, affecting work on the club.

Vice-president, Wendy Harvey said: "We had started work such as revamping the bar and redecorating the club room, which needed quite a lot of attention, and the upkeep of the green at the beginning of last year. We didn’t realise at the beginning of 2020 that we were going to be losing out on so much.

"Last year we did offer limited bowling, as much as we were allowed because of social distancing, and it worked very well. We actually attracted quite a few new members, including people who hadn’t realised that there was even in a bowling green there, so this was good.

"But, we didn’t have the café open and we get rent from that, so we lost money there. We also lost money with the lack of the public playing as people have to pay to play."

The club hopes to raise £25,000 which will go towards redesigning the members bar, redecorating the cafe, renewing sports equipment, improving work with local schools and more.

Wendy said: "One of our members redesigned our members bar and called it ‘Team Spirit’ because that’s what really came out in the club last year. There was a lot of team spirit.

"We did lose a lot of players in 2020 but they’re hoping to come back this year. We realised how much of a social club it was and how people were losing out on meeting socially there, for a cup of coffee or lunch.

"If we can’t play, we’ll just do what we did last year, but we’re raring to go."

To support the club, visit: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/boscombe-cliff-bowling-club