Volunteers whose dedication to a bowls club for the blind is “essential for its existence” were thanked for their help at a tea party.

A team of people give up their time up to twice a week to help members of the Barnet Blind and Partially Sight Bowls Club, a travelling group that plays sighted clubs in and around the borough.

Volunteers drive members to and from matches and meetings, help the players on the greens and pitch in with administration and organisation.

Club secretary Wynne Hughesman organised the tea party on Friday at Mill Hill Golf Club, in Barnet Way, and said it was wonderful to recognise the work of her fellow volunteers.

She said: “Without our helpers we simply wouldn’t exist. It was a wonderful afternoon that went very well and it was great to be able to thank everyone.

“The bowlers are a great bunch and they’re so deserving of a helping hand when it is needed. I’m able to help where I can but all of the helpers do just as much – we have a great team and it is because of them that the club functions.”