After taking over a disused bowling green in Heaton Park in North Shields from North Tyneside Council, Collingwood Bowling Club desperately needed to raise funds to help bring the green back into a playable state, and to attract new members to the sport.
The club approached VODA early in 2015 and our Development Team has worked with the group’s trustees ever since, helping them to update their constitution, widen their membership and most recently, to become a Registered Charity. Our Funding Adviser has worked closely with the group during this period, identifying sources of funding and giving the club advice on writing strong applications.
Initially supporting the club to raise funding for lawn maintenance equipment, a sprinkler system and guest bowls.
Members also engaged with our Sector Connector project, receiving expert advice from chartered surveyors and a local architect on the potential expansion of the club’s pavilion.
VODA supported the club to realise their ambitions of building a new pavilion, which was opened in 2019.
Member Alan Hall said: “As a consequence of the efforts of our members, volunteers and the staff art VODA, our green is now in tip-top condition. Our membership has doubled and brought many new starters to the sport. We are extremely grateful to VODA for all the advice and support received.”
