A charitable bowling group is playing all of its 2009/10 games in aid of Operation Butterfly.

A group of bowlers known as Shopland Select decided to support the Sutton Guardian's Operation Butterfly campaign after discovering what the cash will be used for - money raised will help to create a Butterfly Room in St Helier Hospital, which will offer support and counselling to cancer patients, their friends and relatives.

Shopland Select, set up in 2003 by Ken Shopland of Wallington bowling club, is on course to raise just over £1,000 for Operation Butterfly.

Mr Shopland said: “The sole intention is to raise money for the lesser known charities with locally situated branches.

"One charity is chosen by the members each year who receive the entire amount collected throughout that year.

“The money is raised by playing matches at a number of indoor clubs and appealing to the generosity of all the players to donate towards the years good cause.

“The group is not a bowling club as such, we have no home of our own, but what we are is a collection of local bowlers all dedicated to raising money for charity by playing the game we all enjoy so much.”

The Butterfly Centre was given the go-ahead by the NHS Trust Board and the Cancer Services Board, which put up £30,000 of the total £50,000 required to open it.

Also this month, Nonsuch Rotary Club raised £150 for Operation Butterfly when they held a Bizz Quiz and Holy Trinity Church in Wallington raised £200 through residents' contributions.