IT’S EYES DOWN IN LOCKDOWN ALISON RENNIE

Caring Buddies in Ralston have raised more than £500 for charity by hosting a weekly street bingo during lockdown.

The team, from Roffey Park Road, have raised the cash in memory of the street’s Norman Tucker, who sadly passed away from pancreatic cancer last year.

Tracy Coyle, Helen Irvine and Karen Macpherson have invited residents to take part in a game of street bingo where locals have enjoyed festivities, cash prizes and donations from local businesses.

On Thursday, new Italian take-away Forno donated two metre-long pizzas to the revellers while Natural Spices Indian gifted trays of pakora and pizza- chain Dominos and local Italians Genova and Leonardo’s all gave away pizzas.

Music was provided by local John Walker while the team used an app broadcasted via a car speaker to announce the bingo numbers to more than 100 delighted residents.

Prizes including bottles of prosecco are delivered to winner’s doorsteps.

Tracy said: “We’re doing this in memory of Norman, who was the kindest, most caring neighbour and looked out for us all.

“Not only that but it’s creating a sense of community in the street. A lot of our residents live alone and this weekly bingo is giving them something to look forward to.

“We all come together and can feel part of a neighbourhood family. It’s so important for older residents who are feeling lonely and isolated after more than two months of lockdown.”

The trio have decorated the street every week, since the first event on May 14. The