The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Spalding Indoor Bowls Club’s Calvin Leuty and his wife Sarah are helping to raise money in memory of their good friend and Cambridgeshire bowler Hannah Overton.
Hannah sadly lost her battle with Leukaemia – at the age of just 28 – on December 23 last year.
She is best known on the bowls scene for proudly captaining the England under-25, but she was also the bridesmaid at Calvin and Sarah’s wedding, which is why this charity is so close to their hearts.
Hannah lived in Whittlesey throughout her life and attended Sir Harry Smith Community College before moving to Lincoln, where she studied to be a primary school teacher at Bishop Grosseteste University.
During her time at university, she travelled to The Gambia and raised funds to help disadvantaged children access education.
Hannah started her teaching career at Gladstone Primary before moving to St Boltolph’s CE Primary, where she ultimately became the interim assistant head before she was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) in August 2018.
Hannah received her chemotherapy treatment at Leicester Royal Infirmary and the treatment had been successful and she was classed as being in remission for some time.
She was then awaiting a bone marrow transplant, but on December 19 she was told that her Leukaemia had returned and there was nothing more that they could do.
Hannah was moved to the Thorpe Hall Sue Ryder Hospice, which is where she died just before Christmas.
Calvin is helping to raise funds by cycling over 3,000 miles throughout the course of 2019 on a combination of exercise and road bike.
He has already travelled in excess of 300 miles, which is an amazing achievement in itself.
His primary target is to raise £1,500, but that this figure may have to be reviewed in the future due to his efforts going so well.
He is hoping to bring his exercise bike down to club finals weekend so that members can see him in action and it will give those who wish to donate the opportunity to do so.
Other ways to donate include the sponsorship form at the club or his Just Giving page.
Alongside Calvin’s efforts, his wife Sarah is organising the Opal Charity Ball, to be held at Springfields Exhibition and Conference Centre on 9th November 2019.
After consulting with Hannah’s parents, all profits raised will be divided between Bloodwise UK, Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice and the Haematology Ward at the Leicester Royal Infirmary.
In order to make as much money as possible, the organisers are asking businesses and organisations if they would kindly sponsor an element of the ball so that it covers the cost of some of the outgoings.
RACKING UP THE MILES: Calvin Leuty.
Sarah, of Long Sutton, said: “In order to make as much money as we possibly can for these very worthwhile charities, we are asking if businesses/organisations would kindly sponsor an element of the ball.
“This would help us to cover the cost of some of the outgoings.
“We are hoping to accommodate 350 guests as Hannah was a very popular young woman. She played bowls internationally and proudly captained the England under-25 team.
“Hannah was brave and courageous until the very end. A true inspiration to those who knew and loved her.”
Tickets for the ball are on sale from Saturday, February 2 and are £55.
That includes a three course dinner, drinks reception, photo booth, raffle and auction and live band. Tables of 10 and eight are available.
To buy tickets, or for more information, email: sarah_opalball@outlook.com.
Sarah also wanted to thank Phil Newton of Double 7 Design LTD for producing the ball poster for free.
Ball sponsorship packages
Music sponsorship, £1,000 – This package includes six free tickets to the event, your information featured upon the sponsor display, in the brochure and noted on any social media or press campaigns. Advertising also includes your information displayed on a banner on the front of the stage.
Reception drink sponsorship, £500 – This package includes three free tickets to the event, your information featured upon the sponsor display, in the brochure and noted on any social media or press campaigns. Your information will also be displayed in the Marquee Room as guests arrive and will be one of the first points of advertising that the guests see.
Table drink sponsorship, £500 – This package includes three free tickets to the event, your information featured upon the sponsor display, in the brochure and noted on any social media or press campaigns. Your business will be also be advertised on all of the bottles of gin.
Decoration Sponsorship, £350 – This package includes two free tickets to the event, your information featured upon the sponsor display, in the brochure and noted on any social media or press campaigns. Your information will also be displayed in the middle of all of the tables.
Table sponsorship, £50 – In return for this, your information will be featured upon the sponsor display, in the brochure and noted on any social media or press campaigns. Your information will also be shown for all guests to see on the table plan.
