A SPORTS club in Barrhead was bowled over by the outcome of a fundraising event which was organised to help get former soldiers off the street.

Shanks Bowling Club laid on a day of games last Saturday, September 29, to pull together cash for the charity Soldiers Off The Street.

On the day, seven rinks were set up, which were played by a host of ladies, gents, former members and regulars.

Past President Harry Sinclair said: “We usually fundraise for local people but this year we decided to do it for the soldiers because it is such a good cause.

“The charity has recently bought two houses in Irvine for soldiers to sleep in who were previously living rough.”

As well as the matches, which were enjoyed by all the bowlers, a raffle offering bottles such as wine and whisky was also set up to raise some extra cash.

“We are still counting the money from the fundraiser at the moment, so I’m not sure what the total is,” Harry continued. “If I had to estimate, I’d say that we have raised somewhere between £700 and £800.”

Everything raised will go to Soldiers Off The Street, which aims to get homeless veterans back into normal, civilian life.

The charity is made up of a small, core group of volunteers who receive no government funding but rely heavily on donations from others to continue their work.