A Specsavers branch in Bedford has offered a great opportunity for one of the town’s top bowls players after sponsoring him to travel to South Africa for the Disabled World Championships.
The Championships, taking place from 18th May 2024 in Johannesburg, represents a chance for John Hollowell to compete on the world stage after taking up the sport just 21 months ago.
A former roofer, John lost his sight due to undiagnosed diabetes, but despite less than two years at the Bridgeman Bowling Club, he now looks to bring a World Championship medal back to Harrold.
Another gold?
Hollowell already has a wonderful record in the world of bowls.
After winning gold at the Disability Bowls England Home Nations Indoor Championships last year, in which he won his first England cap, Hollowell then went on to win gold in the pairs competition at the Visibility Impaired Bowls England Championships, as well as the singles title.
Despite John’s name on the medals, this sport is very much a double act with John’s wife, Beata acting as a director, standing behind the jack at the far end of the bowling green and acting as a guide on pace and direction.
The sponsorship from Specsavers sees the opticians contribute towards travel and accommodation costs as well as branding on the team kit.
The World Championships may be seven months away, but John is already looking forward to the prospect of competing in South Africa.
“I’m really grateful to everyone at Specsavers. I really appreciate the support they’re giving me.
“I absolutely love the game. It is great that I can get involved in a sport without too many adaptations. Now I am representing my country in the World Championships, it just couldn’t get any better.”
Elizabeth Stewart, Specsavers Bedford store director said, “We always want to positively impact our community, whether that be directly through our services and expertise in-store or indirectly by championing others, giving them the ability and facilities to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
“We’re thrilled to be supporting John’s bowling career. He’s a true ambassador for the sport. He’s got ambition, commitment and dedication, and we’re looking forward to hearing how he gets on in the run-up to the world championships.”
