Darts: Darts Championship raises funds for UK charities

Screened during the BBC’s coverage of the BDO World Darts Championship on Sunday afternoon, the inaugural John Smiths People’s Darts championship was decided, supporting several UK charities in the process.

The competition was designed to offer ordinary pub and club players the opportunity to play on the stage at the home of world darts, with the two finalists having to contest a series of regional finals as well as a further knock-out tournament during the world championship week.

As well as a sponsorship deal to support their darts careers, the finalists were playing for donations to both their clubs and to their charity of choice.

Welshman Tim "Teapot" Jones emerged the victor after defeating Stockton^s Tommy "Magic" Dove 3-1. As a result, Tim secured a £15,000 donation to Arthritis Care which was presented to Amanda Baughen, Head of Supporter Development. Arthritis Care supports people with arthritis in the UK - some nine million individuals - plus their families. The charity provides high quality information, support and training to help those living with the condition.

As a full-time carer for his mother who has severe arthritis, the cause is close to Tim’s family and to his supporters (who were all in very full voice and had made the journey from Neath with Tim).

Tim’s win also saw his local pub, the Rose and Crown, benefit from £1000 for new sports facilities as part of the programme.

Tommy’s impressive performance in reaching the final earned his chosen charity, Daisy Chain, a £2,500 donation. Their unique work supports the needs of children with autism and their families - there are over half a million people with autism in the UK alone. The donation was accepted by Fundraising Manager Nathan Money to loud cheers from Tommy^s equally vocal supporters, who had made the journey from Stockton for the occassion.

Story By: UK Fundraising

http://www.fundraising.co.uk/news/2009/01/12/darts-championship-raises-funds-uk-charities