BEFORE they hand over the reins, Roy and Joan Starling, from St Merryn, held their last charity bingo night in Camelford’s Clease Hall on December 23, in aid of the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust and other charities.

They have held the bingo nights for the last 12 years, and this year donated £500 to the air ambulance, £1,000 to Little Harbour and £500 to Shires Holt Horse Sanctuary.

After receiving a £500 donation from Mr and Mrs Starling, Mr Pip Lovelock, from Shire Holts Horse Sanctuary based between Roughtor on Bodmin Moor, Boscastle and Tintagel, said: “We were utterly blown away by the generosity of Joan and Roy. They invited us along to receive a cheque but we had no idea it would be for such a substantial amount.

“This money will be used to pay for winter feed, hay and hard feed for the moorland horses and ponies we rescue. Currently about two thirds of the horses and ponies we have are moorland and the other third are domesticated, rescued riding horses. This money couldn’t have come at a more opportune time for us as this time of years sees the highest outgoings for the sanctuary.

“We would like to say a massive thank you for this donation not just to Roy and Joan but to the whole club, their donations is very much appreciated!”

Mr Starling said: “We began raising money for the air ambulance 17 years ago after our youngest son Craig, who was 15, was in a tragic accident. On December 23, 1999 the air ambulance was called in to land on Western Road, Launceston — seven minutes later our son was in Derriford Hospital in Plymouth but unfortunately he didn’t make it. Ben the medic had ‘nerves of steel’ as they landed their helicopter in Western Road that day — they did their best but it was not to be. Since then we have tried to give back to the air ambulance for all the help they gave us.”

Roy and Joan began the charity bingo nights in Camelford 12 years ago and have raised money for the air ambulance every year alongside a varied mix of other local charities.

Mr Starling said: “We used to hold events in Launceston when we lived there. But because it is just the two of us now we moved into a little bungalow down in St Merryn, but try and get over to Camelford and the Clease Hall when we can to hold these charity events in aid of local charities.

“We support a varied and differing type of other charities alongside the air ambulance with these bingo nights and have supported things like breast and prostate cancer charities and last year supported Camelford Christmas Lights, the air ambulance the Scouts and the playgroup.”

When asked whether they will continue to hold more bingo nights like this next year, Mr Starling said: “No, Joan and I won’t be running the charity bingo nights in Clease Hall but we are in talks with two ladies who would like to take over the running. People have said they want us to keep them going but, I’ll be honest with you, we are getting old and we just want a rest.

“However, we will continue to hold some of the larger bingo nights, which may be held in Clease Hall occasionally. I have recently purchased 6,000 books and a new machine so I have to keep going really!

“Yes, we will be only too happy to continue raising money for these worthwhile local charities. We are not done yet!”

Mr and Mrs Starling expressed their thanks to all those who have supported and befriended them over the years.