Pool players smash target in marathon session underneath town’s clock tower
From left, Robert Scammell, , Phil McCormick, town mayor Barry Hester, Callum Tartt and Shelby Evans before the 5,000 balls in 24 hours challenge underneath North Walsham's clock tower. Picture: RICHARD BATSON - Credit: Archant
Four fearless pool players have put an impressive 5,000 balls into pockets in just 17 hours and 12 minutes, smashing their 24-hour target.
The foursome lined up shot after shot on a pool table set up underneath North Walsham's clock tower throughout Saturday afternoon and through the night, reaching the target at 9.12am on Sunday morning.
Community members were constantly on hand giving encouragement and potting a few balls themselves in the challenge, which saw more than £1,000 raised for the League of Friends of the North Walsham Cottage Hospital, and 20-year-old Sophie Kennedy, from Stalham, who has a kidney disorder.
Later on Sunday morning one of the bleary-eyed players, Phil McCormick, said the challenge had been difficult, but they were thrilled to have hit their target with time to spare.
Mr McCormick, from Bacton, said: 'It got really cold but we didn't give up. That's how it goes - you start off a challenge and you carry on. I'm really pleased we did it.'
The other players were Robert Scammell, Shelby Evans and Callum Tartt, all from North Walsham.
Mr Scammell said: 'We thought we would do it in 24 hours and we did it in 17, so it has worked out really well.
Most Read
- 1 Norfolk singer's big hopes for her girl band's debut single
- 2 Man died on 50th birthday at Norfolk coastal campsite
- 3 'Beheading' comment sees councillor reported to police
- 4 First coastal road marathon in three decades hailed 'magnificent' success
- 5 Mammoth Marathon winner says course was 'one of the hardest'
- 6 'Everything has gone up' - How mum Melanie is dealing with cost of living
- 7 Council urged to take over ownership of derelict Cromer nightclub
- 8 Man swims for survival after speedboat sinks off Norfolk coast
- 9 Six beaches in Norfolk awarded Blue Flag status for 2022
- 10 'Rainbow of rhodies' puts on stunning display at Sheringham Park
'In the early morning we had a lot of people coming out of the clubs, which was a challenge, but everybody got involved.
'Some went the distance - there was about six to eight that were with us all night.'
Barry Hester, North Walsham's mayor, broke the first frame at 4pm on Saturday to get the challenge underway.
Afterwards, he said: 'It has been a good event and they've done well. Everyone who joined in seemed to enjoy it.'
Peter Edge, landlord of The Swan pub in nearby Church Street, lent the group the pool table for the challenge.
Some of the money raised through the challenge will go towards a fundraiser called Sophie's Big Trip, which as been set up so Miss Kennedy and her family, from Stalham, can visit Disney World.
Sophie has had kidney problems her whole life, needs dialysis three times a week and is currently awaiting a transplant.
Donations to the cause can still be made at www.gofundme.com, search for '5000 balls in 24 hours'.