GARY Barlow helped a working men’s club hit their charity fundraising target.

The Tarring Club £40,000 fundraising mark for St Barnabas House hospice with a Gary Barlow fundraising night.

The evening alone raised more than £5,561,meaning the club has now raised £42,086 for the hospice since 1997.

Steve Blackmore, president of the Tarring Club said: “From a young age my mum, Flora Blackmore, and her friend Carole Cartlidge raised money for St Barnabas House and I would help her so I think she would be very proud.

“Many of our members have personal experience of the wonderful care and know what a great support the hospice is. We want to make sure St Barnabas House is always there for our community.”

Members of the club have abseiled down the Spinnaker Tower, skydived, taken part in sponsored walks and held talent competitions.

The Tarring Club was first built in 1907 as the West Tarring Working Men’s Club until it was destroyed during the Second World War in 1943.

All that was left was the flag pole and a silver trophy, both of which they still have on display, and a bottle of whiskey, which has disappeared over time.

Trustee Maureen Arnold, 72, said: “When I was a girl my father said the original building was where everyone gathered to socialise, share news and support each other.”

The Tarring Club was rebuilt in 1950 and that strong community spirit is much the same today. The club has been supporting St Barnabas House since the hospice’s original capital appeal 50 years ago, and have presented an annual cheque to the hospice since 1997.

Community fundraising manager for St Barnabas House, Wendy Bardsley, said: “The Tarring Club is amazing. Many of their members also volunteer for us at our fundraising events, in the hospice and at hospice functions.

“All our services are free and the annual cost or providing all our care services is £6.1 million. We only receive 21% of this from the government while the rest comes from donations and fundraising. The Tarring Club have made a huge contribution and we can’t thank them enough.”

To find out more about fundraising for St Barnabas House visit www.stbh.org.uk/fundraising or call 01903 254777.