LRU Bowling Club Secure Storage & Floodlights

Aim

We are aiming to raise funds to purchase a secure storage unit to help keep our equipment safe and to replace unfit for use floodlights

Leigh Rugby Union Bowling Club provides crown green bowling from 10am through to around 9.00pm each evening, supporting 10 men’s, women’s and mixed teams competing across eight local leagues. We have just celebrated our 30th anniversary.

Alongside competitive bowling, the club supports a strong and growing social membership. There are around 50 social bowlers and 100 competitive bowlers that regularly use the green to stay active, maintain mobility, and benefit from the social interaction and sense of belonging that the club provides. For many older members in particular, the club is a vital part of their physical wellbeing and social life.

It is an important community asset that supports regular physical activity, inclusion and friendship for people of all abilities.

Why are we crowdfunding?

We are extremely grateful to Sport England’s Movement Fund for their recent support, which allowed us to invest in much-needed equipment to support participation.

However, a recent break-in, ongoing vandalism, and deteriorating floodlighting now put this investment at risk.

The two key barriers that are currently limiting our ability to increase participation are lack of secure storage and inadequate floodlighting

This Crowdfunder will enable us to:

• Install a high-security storage unit to protect essential equipment
• Add additional security measures, including an alarm system and cctv
• Replace unfit-for-use floodlights with safe, modern LCD lighting
• Increase the usage of the green and attract new bowlers

Together, these improvements will protect our assets, improve safety, and ensure the green remains accessible to the community during evening hours.

Why we need a secure storage unit

Our club is committed to increasing opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to take part in regular physical activity. However, repeated vandalism and break-ins have put essential equipment at risk, limiting what we can safely provide.

Without secure storage, we are unable to confidently invest in and maintain the equipment needed to run sessions, expand participation, and introduce new players to the sport. This directly impacts our ability to grow the game and keep people active within the community.

By installing a high-security storage unit, we will:

• Protect vital equipment used for practice, matches, and community sessions 
• Enable us to expand inclusive programmes for beginners, juniors, and social players 
• Increase the number and frequency of sessions that we can deliver 
• Reduce cancellations and disruption caused by vandalism and stolen equipment 

Why floodlights are essential

Our existing floodlights are no longer fit for purpose. Poor lighting restricts safe evening play, particularly during autumn and winter, and prevents many people — especially those who work or attend school during the day — from taking part.

Replacing the floodlights will:

• Improve safety for players and volunteers
• Extend playing hours into evenings, making sessions accessible to working adults, juniors, and new participants
• Enable more social and competitive games
• Increase participation and community use. We are looking to expand the number of players from 150 to 200.

How we’ll spend the money raised

The money will be spent on the purchase of new secure storage unit, additional security measures and replacement floodlights.

Every pound you donate will go straight into additional security measures and LED floodlights by purchasing a high-security storage unit to keep our club’s equipment safe, an alarm system and replacement floodlights.

The purchases will

• Protect our equipment from theft and vandalism
• Meet our insurance requirements
• Allow for additional participation, especially for people that work during the day who are looking for a low impact sport 
• Keeping crown green bowling running smoothly for both new and present bowlers

Your support helps us safeguard our club and ensure it stays a thriving hub for our community.

Community impact

Leigh Rugby Union Bowling Club plays a significant and sustained role in supporting community sport and physical activity.

The club fields 10 teams, each made up of 8 players plus reserves, meaning around 100 members participate regularly in competitive bowling.

Beyond this, around 50 regular social bowlers use the green during the week between 10.00am and 9.00pm throughout the season until the dark nights come in. This informal participation is especially important for supporting physical activity, mental wellbeing and reducing isolation, particularly among older residents.

The club provides a welcoming, inclusive environment where people can take part regardless of experience, fitness level or background. The high level of usage demonstrates the importance of the green as a local community asset.

Improved security will help protect a well-used facility, safeguard volunteer-led sport, and ensure long-term sustainability. New floodlighting will enable increased evening participation, keeping crown green bowling accessible for everyone.

If we raise more than our target

Any additional funds raised will be reinvested into further security improvements and facilities at the green, helping to future-proof the facility and protect it for generations to come.

How you can play your part

There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.

1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!

2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters or direct donations via the crowdfunder. 

4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!

This project successfully funded on 6th May 2026