Donation To TASC In Memory Of Man Who Died After Bowls Game

Family and friends of a man who collapsed and died while playing bowls have made a welcome donation to TASC, The Ambulance Staff Charity in recognition of the “amazing” response of ambulance crews.

Mrs Margaret Dayus praised the efforts of ambulance staff who fought to save her husband Stan after he suddenly fell ill during a game at their local bowls club near Morecambe in Lancashire. He was later found to have suffered an abdominal aneurysm.

Mrs Dayus, who had been married to Stan, aged 74, for nearly 48 years, said:

“It was virtually instantaneous. There was no inkling at all that anything was wrong. He seemed fine but just collapsed on the green while playing bowls.”

Ambulance crews were quick to respond to the call to the Forton Bowling Club where Stan had played for almost 20 years following early retirement from his job at the local water authority.

Added Mrs Dayus:

“The ambulance crew worked very hard to try to save him. They were just amazing and they were also so caring to myself and my 15 year old granddaughter who was with us at the time.

“It was an amazing effort from everyone, starting with the girl who was a first responder who ran down to the bowling club to help. I didn’t know her and she didn’t know us, but she was so caring and just lovely. She even sent us a card which was very nice of her.”

Mrs Dayus, 71, who has two sons and four grandchildren, asked for donations to TASC in lieu of flowers at the funeral, held at Lancaster and Morecambe Crematorium, while the bowling club also gave some money. The total raised was £270.

She added:

“The crematorium was absolutely packed but we still couldn’t believe how much money was raised. Everyone has been very generous.”

Anyone interested in donating to TASC or fundraising on behalf of the charity is asked to visit: http://www.theasc.org.uk/fundraising