A HALESOWEN dad hosted a street bingo session for his neighbours to raise money for a charity which helps bereaved families.
Mat McSwiggan, of Wheatcroft Close, staged the informal fundraiser for the Edward's Trust on Saturday (April 25) at 7pm.
Neighbours sat on their drives observing social distancing rules while Mat hosted proceedings with a microphone and speaker, helped by son Shae.
Mat, who works for Beam Insurance in Halesowen, is on furlough and said he wanted to do something to keep busy as well as raising funds for the charity which was set up in 1989 by Peter and Hilary Dent in memory of their son Edward, who died aged seven of cancer at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Forty-two-year-old Mat, lives with his partner Lisa Turner, aged 39, and their two children Shae, aged 11 and Sienna, 14.
He has also shaved his hair to raise cash for the charity, which offers counselling, support groups, specialist respite bereavement retreats and children’s social activities and has started a JustGiving page to pull in funds for the good cause.
Mat, who is planning another bingo session this Saturday, said: "The Edward's Trust is a charity close to my heart - it's helped friends and family over the years.
"It's a small charity and is really financially struggling at the moment as all its fundraisers have been cancelled.
"They were planning dragon boat event and a golf day - the coronavirus crisis has really hit them in the pocket.
"Everyone got into the spirit of things for the bingo and we had a giggle along the way.
"Everyone except two people took part.
"We have only raised about £58 so far from donations as I hadn't decided to do it for charity at the start - but I will match that and this week when the neighbours know its for the charity I'm sure the figure will multiply.
"My company Beam Insurance and I are huge supporters of this amazing charity, they desperately need support due to many events being cancelled."
Edward's Trust provides family bereavement services supporting children, young people and parents across the West Midlands.
Support includes one-to-one counselling, support groups, specialist respite bereavement retreats, children’s social activities, a wellbeing service. It supports more than 600 families every year.
The charity has been forced to move to over the phone counselling.
Pictured below: Mat before he braved the shave
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