Charity bowled over by funding boost

A Darlington lung health charity is on a roll after securing funding to help members stay active and socially connected.

Breathe Easy Darlington has received a £1000 grant from the Banks Group’s Banks Community Fund, enabling it to introduce monthly ten pin bowling sessions for people living with respiratory and lung conditions.

The volunteer-run charity supports around 65 members from across Darlington, County Durham and Teesside who are living with conditions including asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, cancer and bronchiectasis.

The new sessions, held at Hollywood Bowl in Stockton, bring together up to 16 members each month for gentle exercise and social interaction.

Founded in 2009 and operating independently since 2023, Breathe Easy Darlington is one of only three charities of its kind in the North East.

Alongside bowling, the organisation runs free respiratory exercise classes at Eastbourne Sports Complex, Tai Chi sessions at Business Central and a monthly lunch club in Darlington.

Ann Boyd, secretary and trustee of Breathe Easy Darlington, said: “People with respiratory conditions can often find that the active hobbies they used to do are now beyond them and can sometimes struggle to find alternative activities that suit their needs.

“Our exercise sessions are designed to help encourage an increase in mobility and muscle strength which help to reduce their symptoms while also offering some social interaction with a supportive group who understand and share their limitations and motivations.

“The positive health and well-being benefits this approach delivers are widely recognised and we see them being realised in the improvements that our members have in their mobility, muscle strength, balance control and breathing, as well as the confidence they gain by participation alongside people in the same situation as they are.

“While ten-pin bowling might not seem like the most physically challenging of sports, there are lots of ups and downs as players come forward to take their turns, while having the chance to sit and chat with fellow bowlers between times is just as important to everyone’s well-being.

“We were all thrilled when we heard that we’d been awarded this grant by the Banks Group, especially as it removes any financial barriers to people coming along to bowling, and we’re looking forward to showing off our bowling skills over the next 12 months.”

The donation has been provided through the Banks Community Fund, which supports community groups in areas where the developer operates.

Banks is promoting the proposed Beaumont Hill development, a scheme for up to 600 homes on land north of Darlington that also includes public open space, a convenience store and biodiversity improvements.

Kate Culverhouse, community relations manager at the Banks Group, whose community funds are independently managed by Point North, added: “The simple steps that Breathe Easy Darlington helps its members take are clearly making a real difference to their physical and mental well-being. 

 “We’re very pleased to be helping the team extend what they can offer and hope all the members enjoy some friendly competition on the lanes.”

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