Casino Royale nets lifeboat funds

Last updated 12:24, Monday, 22 September 2008

CHARITY CASH: Nicky and Helen Barlow hand over the ill-gotten gains from the gambling night held at The Old Mill, Bardsea, to Ron Nuttall, operations manager of the Barrow Lifeboat, and Bruce Chattaway and Paul Wojcik, of The Ulverston Inshore Rescue TeamREF:0450242

PUNTERS flocked to the Old Mill at Bardsea for a James Bond themed charity casino night.

There was a Champagne reception for the gamblers as they placed “funny money” bets on games of roulette, blackjack and poker. Organiser Nicola Barlow also hired in some slot machines to give an authentic Casino Royale feel.

The evening raised £800 for The Barrow Lifeboat and Ulverston Inshore Rescue Team, generated from ticket costs, a raffle and an intriguing game of coin throwing at a bottle of whisky in the middle of the room. Lots of generous donations were also made.

Old Mill owner Helen Barlow said: “It was a nice evening. We had a Champagne reception, a buffet meal and then we all lost our money.

“We have only been at the Old Mill since the beginning of May, but we’re advertising ourself as The Place to be by the Sea. So we thought the first fundraiser should ideally go to the people who help us by the sea.”