The City of London Darts Association (CoLDA) are hosting their biggest charity event to date in Farringdon on Saturday, 4 October.
The Horseshoe, a famous pub which featured in the television series Gangs of London, will host the fundraiser which CoLDA’s charity events organiser Tom Gower has put together.
The association are aiming to raise a four-figure sum for for baby loss charity Abigail’s Footsteps, which provides care and support to families who have suffered a bereavement – something which is of huge importance to Gower.
He said: “It means everything to me. It’s an honour to be an ambassador for Abigail’s, and to raise money for them.
“We do it in honour of our boy Oliver. Our son was always with us and a part of our family.
“We don’t just honour him, but help raise funds for everything Abigail’s does for every other bereaved parent.
“They offer training to midwives because, unfortunately, that isn’t something the government offers. They also offer counselling to bereaved parents.”
Gower, an insurance worker, believes CoLDA are in the perfect position to raise money for charities such as Abigail’s.
He said: “I’m lucky enough to be on CoLDA’s committee and see first hand the great competitions they run.
“The amount of people they’re bringing in at the minute is amazing.
“It’s the first event I’m doing with CoLDA that is specifically for Abigail’s, and hopefully it’s the first of many. We’ve earmarked quite a quite a large chunk of money which is going to go to the charity.
“We’re doing it in Oliver’s name, in Abigail’s name. It’s all that we can do.”
CoLDA chairman Paul Clark suggested the association directly support Abigail’s Footsteps following the dissolution of previous priority charity Heart of Darts.
Clark said: “Of course, there is a responsibility on us to give back.
“We try and put an event on every month, such as a quiz in December.
“Doing little things last year for Abigail’s raised just over £1,000. We could raise that in one event this time.
“At the end of the year we could, fingers crossed, have close to £3,000 for them.”
COLDA was founded in 2011 and runs three seasons, with Clark taking over as chairman in its 17th season to stop the league collapsing.
He has led the association since and emphasised the social aspect of darts as one of its most enduring appeals.
He said: “I’ve met so many friends through darts. It helps socially-awkward people go out and speak to people.
“COLDA’s helping in a massive way in the City, and London in general, by bringing people together.
“It gives me fulfilment because I like seeing people join the league, start from scratch and improve.
“There’s nothing better than starting from the bottom and moving up the tables.”
Clark, whose day-job is at a Chinese bank, believes the growth of darts means only good things for London.
He said: “We are the biggest darts association in the UK that caters to all levels of players.
“We could go play in the Super League, but we would be embarrassed.
“[PDC world champion] Luke Littler has sent darts crazy, and our goal is growing the league and potentially making it all of London.
“We might have to change our name going forward.
“My goal is bringing the whole of London together, playing darts, under one umbrella.”
Featured image: Toby Wells
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