A bowls club captain is set to hit the greens and play through the night this weekend as he embarks on a marathon 24-hour fundraiser for a vital cause.

Andy Hides, who plays bowls for Kensington Gardens BC in Lowestoft, will take to the 'Gardens' bowls green for a special 24-hour bowls-athon in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Picture: Andy HidesAndy Hides, who plays bowls for Kensington Gardens BC in Lowestoft, will take to the 'Gardens' bowls green for a special 24-hour bowls-athon in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Picture: Andy Hides (Image: Andy Hides)

Andy Hides, who plays bowls for Kensington Gardens BC in Lowestoft and is the club's Benacre League captain, will take to the 'Gardens' bowls green for a special 24-hour bowls-athon in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

The Macmillan Cancer Support logo. Picture: Macmillan Cancer SupportThe Macmillan Cancer Support logo. Picture: Macmillan Cancer Support (Image: Macmillan Cancer Support)

The charity endurance event - taking place this coming First Light Festival weekend - is particular personal to Mr Hides and his family as it is held in memory of his mother-in-law, Jill Mullender.

The charity endurance fundraiser starts at 11am on Saturday, June 22, continues through the night under floodlights, before finishing at 11am on Sunday, June 23.

Preparations are gearing up for the return of the First Light Festival to venues across Lowestoft - with work gathering pace on South Beach in Lowestoft. (Image: Mick Howes)

It will see Mr Hides play a different player every hour - 24 different players, who have all paid £10 to the charity for the privilege of playing him - as Kensington Gardens Bowls Club supports the charity.

Mr Hides said: "My mother-in-law was diagnosed with lung cancer for the first time in 2015 and after an operation and a round of chemotherapy it went away.

"Then in 2019 we were told the cancer had returned but she also had two tumours on her neck as well.

"She underwent chemotherapy again, enduring endless sessions.

"In January 2023 she was taken into hospital feeling very unwell and it was then that they advised us that the cancer had spread to her spine.

"Just 96 days later she passed away peacefully at home with her family around her."

Mr Hides added: "Macmillan were amazing and helped us so much that we want to do as much as possible as we can."

With the aim of raising £10,000 for Macmillan, several fundraisers have already been held as £4,122.82 has been raised.

It is hoped a further £2,000 to boost the overall tally can be raised this weekend.

Mr Hides added: "If by my efforts I can help at least one family, then it will all be worthwhile."

You can donate online and pledge support via the Hides family JustGiving page.