WHITTLESEY St John Ambulance will be able to purchase life-saving equipment after receiving a cash boost from a bowls club in the town.

Players raised �565 during a charity tournament held by Whittlesey Manor Bowls Club in memory of long-serving member Peter Bavister.

The money will go towards the purchase of a medical gasses kit (oxygen and entonox), together with a suction unit.

Pauline Richards, accepting the cheque on behalf of the town’s St John Ambulance unit, said: “There are so many deserving charities, so we are very pleased to be chosen for a second year.

“We are all volunteers and without the kind generosity of the people at Whittlesey Manor Bowls Club we would not be able to buy this vital equipment.”

The cheque was handed over by Peter’s widow, Margaret, and follows a �335 donation from the club last year raised at the inaugural event in his memory.

Melyvn Beck, the bowls club’s secretary, said: “The local St John Ambulance was close to the heart of Peter and therefore it’s fitting that the club should honour his memory in this way by assisting this wonderful group of volunteers knowing that the local community will reap the benefits.”

A second charity tournament hosted by the club - held in memory of former club stalwart Danny Duffy, raised �300 for the respiratory support and sleep centre at Papworth Hospital.