DARTS star Andy Hamilton took on pub customers to raise hundreds of pounds for the Douglas Macmillan Hospice.

 

Punters paid £5 to take on The Hammer and fellow pro Andy Pearce at the Rose and Crown pub in Stanley.

 

The charity night was organised by former police officer Mick Mottram in memory of his wife Lynne, who died of ovarian cancer aged 51 in 2012.

 

Mick, who lives in the village, said he wanted to repay the Blurton hospice for the dedicated care staff showed while his wife was a patient there. He hopes to match the £2,300 from a fund-raiser last year.

 

"I heard it costs £22,000 to run the hospice for a day," said the 55-year-old. "If we could raise enough to help run it for just an hour then that would be tremendous.

 

"My wife went into the hospice in pain and in need of treatment and within 24 hours the pain was gone. The care, the comfort and the treatment she received was unbelievable.

 

"And it was because of that she was able to pass away painlessly with the dignity both she and I wanted."

 

Friends and colleagues flocked to the pub for the event, which also featured an auction of signed darts shirts and photos.

 

Mick added: "The turnout was fantastic. I am delighted with everybody's support and it shows just what the Dougie Mac means to everyone."

 

Stoke-on-Trent-born Hamilton – the PDC world number eight – aged 47, said he was thrilled to help the hospice.

 

He said: "It was a pleasure to give a bit of my time to help support a local cause and also support the friend I have made in the process.

 

"I saw the work the Dougie Mac does when my dad had cancer, so I know how much the people of North Staffordshire feel about it. The more help we can give, the more care they can give and the better chance there is of finding a cure one day."

 

Andy Pearce, a friend of Mick's who worked with him at Audi before joining the professional darts tour, said: "I was pleased to be here to support Mick.

 

"I've known him quite a while. When his wife passed away it was a huge shock."

 

The pub's landlord Mick Moston, aged 47, said: "We are committed this year to helping the Dougie Mac and we were overwhelmed when they kindly offered to take part in the fund-raising event.

 

"It is such a small area, but the support we have had from local business, such as the Vapour Shack, Greenway Hall Golf Club and the Endon Store, has been fantastic.

 

"They generously donated prizes, which has added value to what Mick has been trying to do."

 

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