Pub regulars' 1,000,001 charity darts challenge

A TEAM of amateur darts players have taken to the oche for a mammoth charity challenge.

Eight regulars at the Bunkers Hill pub, in Hockley, last night began a million-and-one countdown.

The challenge is a twist on the traditional leg of darts, usually played over 501 points.

The players face having to throw darts around-the-clock for 48 hours to complete the game, then check out on a double.

Organiser Paul Hanson, of Sneinton, set up the event in memory of his dad, Barry, who died of cancer in 2009, aged 56.

Mr Hanson, 30, who works at Ye Olde Salutation Inn, in Nottingham city centre, said his dad was a keen club darts player and did the 1,000,001 challenge himself 28 years ago.

He said: "I'm very much an amateur player but darts has always been in my family.

"This is a tribute to my dad. He did the 1,000,001 challenge with three mates and it took them about 46 hours to finish.

"They were all completely knackered by the end of it and my dad couldn't use his throwing arm for a couple of days afterwards."

Mr Hanson said he and the other seven players had been practising their darts at Bunkers Hill on Saturday nights for the past three months to build up their stamina for the challenge.

He said: "I'm right-handed but I've been practising throwing with my left hand, too, albeit not that successfully.

"Our biggest problem will be fatigue. We're bringing a couple of inflatable beds along so those who aren't at the oche can get some rest.

"We've also been practising our doubles so we can finish it. Personally, my favourite is double 16, but I'll take any double except double one."

Mr Hanson said the team planned to stay teetotal throughout their stunt.

"When the tiredness sets, I think the last thing we'll want is a beer. I think we'll save the drinking for celebrating afterwards," he said.

The other regulars involved in the challenge are Leigh Metcalf, brothers Paul and Kev Newton, Chris Oysten, Mark Pilgrim, David Dawson, and Grant Mellows.

Money raised will go to Macmillan Cancer Support. The team will collect donations at the bar throughout the challenge and people can contribute online at www.justgiving.com/1000001-darts-challenge.

A team of eight darts players from the Weigh Inn Bar, in Omagh, Northern Ireland, holds the Guinness World Record to finish a game of 1,000,001 in the fewest darts: 35,698

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