'In John's memory': Otley bowling raises funds for Rob Burrow Centre after loss of long-serving member

Members of Otley Wharfemeadows Bowling Club gathered for a poignant charity event to raise vital funds for the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds.

The event was held in memory of long-serving club member John Tompkins, who retired four years ago after many years with the Otley club. Just three months into his retirement, John was diagnosed with MND, and he sadly passed away earlier this year.

In his honour, club members returned to the green for a special tournament, with John's wife attending to present the winners with a memorial trophy.

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Speaking at the event, organiser Gerry Harper paid tribute to his former clubmate and emphasised the importance of supporting both the Leeds centre and broader medical research.

"John was a member here for a number of years," Gerry said. "We've both been to the centre. We had an event here last year where everyone dressed in Christmas gear, and we raised £4,000, so in John's memory we wanted to have an event again."

"MND is a horrible disease as we all know, and there's no cure for it. So the money raised is, one, to support the centre, but two, to go towards research and help us find a cure."