A GROUP of curlers held a successful event for an Ayrshire charity that supports adults with learning disabilities.

Game of Stones raised £5,5000 for Hansel in their annual charity Bonspiel after the event was resurrected following fears its 30-year legacy would be over.

More than 100 people attended the event which was salvaged by new members who were determined to keep the annual fundraiser for Hansel going.

Galleon Curling Club members Douglas Reid, Janice Shepherd and John Henderson took over the organisation for the 2020 event held at Greenacres Curling Rink, Howwood.

Douglas Reid said how he couldn’t let the event perish after members of the Galleon committee announced they were retiring last year.

He said: “I was travelling home from last year’s competition when I heard that the event might never be run again as the whole Galleon committee were retiring.

“It is such a highlight of the curling calendar and an important fundraiser for Hansel, I thought it would be such a shame if it ended so I got together with Janice and John and we set to work pulling the event together.

“It was a fantastic day packed full of high class curling and great friendship on and off the ice. The standard of curling really is getting better each year and it was great to see the whole ice rink buzzing with so many people and most staying to the very end.”

The winners on the day were a team from TCR Construction, Mundell Landscapes were runners up with R2 Transport in third place.

Agnes Paton, Hansel Fundraising and Communications Manager, said: “I want to say a huge thank you to the organisers who took over the reins this year from the Galleon Curling Club.

“Events like this wouldn’t happen without the support of all the Bonspiel curlers, sponsors, supporters and the team at Greenacres.”