Peter Dowd (r) receiving a cheque for £20,000. (Image: Castle Bingo)
Castle Bingo marked a significant moment this week as MP Peter Dowd visited to celebrate the presentation of a £20,000 donation to Variety, the Children’s Charity, a leading UK nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of disabled and disadvantaged children.
The donation forms part of an ongoing national fundraising effort by The Bingo Association, which has supported Variety since 2015. Collectively, bingo clubs across the UK have now raised more than £1.8 million for the charity through community games and special events.
“We were delighted to welcome MP Peter Dowd to celebrate this fantastic milestone,” Castle Bingo said in a statement.
“This incredible contribution was made possible through the collective efforts of bingo clubs across the UK, as part of The Bingo Association’s ongoing support for Variety.”
The donation highlights the social impact of bingo halls, often overlooked as community hubs that bring people together while giving back. The Bingo Association’s long-term partnership with Variety has funded specialist mobility equipment, sensory and educational facilities, and outings for children and families who might otherwise miss out.
Castle Bingo added: “A huge thank you to everyone who plays bingo, your support helps make moments like this possible and continues to make a real difference to children and families across the country.”
Founded in 1949, Variety, the Children’s Charity supports thousands of young people across the UK. The charity provides wheelchairs, adapted vehicles known as Sunshine Coaches, grants for vital medical and sensory equipment, and inclusive play spaces in schools and communities.
Variety’s mission is simple but powerful: to ensure every child, regardless of circumstance or disability, has the same opportunities for mobility, independence, and joy. Its work continues to be crucial as more families face challenges due to the cost-of-living crisis and public service cuts.
Castle Bingo Provides Vital Lifeline for Charities
Beyond the game, Castle Bingo’s contribution underscores the UK bingo industry’s community spirit. In a time of economic uncertainty, grassroots fundraising remains a vital lifeline for charities like Variety, ensuring that children who need support the most can continue to thrive.

Most of my career was spent in teaching including at one of the UK’s top private schools. I left London in 2000 and set up home in Wales raising four beautiful children. I enrolled at University where I studied Photography and film and gained a Degree and subsequently a Masters Degree. In 2014 I helped launch a new local newspaper and managed to get front and back page as well as 6 filler pages on a weekly basis. I saw that journalism was changing and was a pioneer of hyperlocal news in Wales. In 2017 I started one of the first 24/7 free independent news sites for Wales. Having taken that to a successful business model I was keen for a new challenge. Joining the company is exciting for me especially as it is a new role in Europe. I am keen to establish myself and help others to do the same.
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