Darts team target fundraising for family of Bristol man killed in crash

A pub darts team are holding a fundraising night to raise money for the family of one of their members who was killed in a crash in Bristol.

The Lebeq Tavern team, who play at the pub on Stapleton Road, will be joined by other teams from the Redfield and District men's darts league for a memorial evening to pay tribute to Mark Farthing.

Mr Farthing, 40, a street cleanser of Wick Road, Brislington, was vice captain of the Lebeq Tavern team, and had played darts in leagues in Bristol for many years.

He died on December 14 after his moped was involved in a collision with a Nissan Micra on Greenwood Road in Knowle while he was on his way to work at the Sita depot in Hartcliffe Way.

He was treated by passers-by and ambulance staff at the scene, but sadly died later at the Bristol Royal Infirmary, leaving behind his partner Susan Hawkins, 47, daughter Codie, who is seven, and step-children Felicity, 21, and Jason, 22.

Now his darts friends are holding a fundraising event to raise money for his family.

Tony Upton, secretary of the Lebeq Tavern team, said Mark had always been a joker in the group. Mr Upton, 63, who is retired and lives in Downend, said: "I have never met a person like him.

"He was a good darts player and was the joker among the team, always chatting with people and helping out opposition players when we were playing matches against them.

"That was just the kind of chap he was. He was a well-known and well-liked guy, and was a winner.

"He played to win, then would go off and laugh and joke and help someone else out."

The fundraising event will be held on March 27 at the Lebeq Tavern, with two other pub teams from the Redfield and District league – The Armoury Tavern on Stapleton Road and The Jolly Roger, on Easton Road.

Mr Farthing's friends from Sita have also been invited, and players from many of the league's 68 teams are also expected to be there for the friendly darts competition.

Mr Upton said: "The other teams will be donating a keg of beer, and the money from that will go towards Sue and the family.

"Owen Smith, the landlord of the Lebeq, is putting on food for the evening and there will be four dart boards running where people pay as they play.

"The entry fee is £1, to play darts is £1, and after that it is 50p per game, with the winner staying on.

"There is also a raffle, which we are collecting prizes for at the moment, and all the money from that, entry and beer sales will go to Sue."

The Redfield and District darts league has already collected £200 for Mrs Hawkins.

Mrs Hawkins, a health care assistant, said: "I just want to say thank you to the darts team and everyone who has helped. Codie's school, Holymead Infants, have been really good, and so has everyone at my work at Callington Road Hospital. Mark's friends at Sita have been brilliant as well, and raised £500 for us, and the mums at the school have also collected for us.

"Christmas was a hard time for everyone, so we are really grateful to everyone."

Mrs Hawkins said that her family was still reeling in shock at Mr Farthing's sudden death.

She said: "Codie talks about her dad all the time at school, but she tries not to cry in front of me because she knows it makes me upset.

"But wherever I look Mark is still there, especially at night when Codie has gone to bed and I am on my own."

The fundraising night on March 27 starts at 7pm and is open to all. There is no need to book, and raffle tickets are on sale during the evening.