Brilliant bowler Kevin will fly to Israel for top contest

Newspaper: Dewsbury Reporter.
Story: Visually impaired bowler ken Page from Liversedge, will be travelling to Isreal to compete in a bowling championship against South Africa and also Israel.
Reporter: John Blow.
Photographer: Andrew Bellis.
Photo date: 25/04/16
Picture Ref: AB176a0416 — Newspaper: Dewsbury Reporter. Story: Visually impaired bowler ken Page from Liversedge, will be travelling to Isreal to compete in a bowling championship against South Africa and also Israel. Reporter: John Blow. Photographer: Andrew Bellis. Photo date: 25/04/16 Picture Ref: AB176a0416

A visually impaired man who bowls with a Brighouse club will travel to Israel to compete in a competition.

Kevin Page, of Springfield Drive, Liversedge will head to Tel Aviv on May 21 for Visually Impaired Bowls England (VIBE) after winning national finals in Lemington Spa.He will face players from Israel and South Africa.

A brain aneurysm in 1998 left Kevin totally blind in his left eye and severely affected in his right. Further complications also mean he has no use of his left side and uses walking sticks.

He gave up his beloved bowling for 15 years. But after attending sessions with Pennine Bowling Club,a specialist group for visually impaired players which practices Wellholme Park, Brighouse, he has once again built up his skills.

Kevin’s wife Julie, 56, said: “He didn’t bowl at all since he was ill up until he joined Pennine Bowling about five years ago and he’s not looked back.

“It’s given him his life back really. He used to run his own business and can’t do that anymore, but he’s started bowling again and doing it really well.

“We’re both looking forward to going. I just feel so proud of him. It’s brilliant, a dream come true really, for him. He feels quite emotional and very proud.

“I think he feels really honoured to be asked. He’s earned it because he works really hard at his bowling.”

Generous fundraising efforts have also helped the couple reach the £1,600 cost of attending the competition.

Those who helped Kevin, 60 raise the cash include Cleckheaton Rotary Club and Watson’s Bakery in Liversedge. Kevin has also benefited from the support of friends at his club, Whitcliffe Mount Sports Centre and Royds Park in Cleckheaton, where he also enjoys the sport.