ONE of Inverclyde’s best loved clubs enjoyed their annual summer trip to Blackpool — after local people stepped in to save the day.

The Tele reported earlier this year how the family of the late Greenock man Stephen Watt, who had Down’s Syndrome, wanted to help the cash-strapped Sunshine Club in his memory.

They launched a fundraising campaign after hearing that the annual trip had been axed due to a cash crisis.

The appeal touched the hearts of residents, with £5,000 raised, and the 35-strong group were able to stay in the seaside resort after all.

Stephen’s niece Heather Gill, from Larkfield, said: “I promised Stephen that I would raise money to help the Sunshine Club and I hope I have fulfilled that promise.

“I was touched to see pictures of the club in Blackpool dancing and having fun.

“That meant the world to me and made it all worth it.”

Larger-than-life Stephen, who was 54, died last November after a long illness.

He was a Sunshine Club member from the start and a regular until he encountered spinal problems and found himself wheelchair-bound.

In his later years he moved into a care home to be given round-the-clock care.

Like many members of the club, which has been going strong for more than 30 years, Stephen took part in its weekly social events, as well as charity fundraisers and he loved the club’s annual trip away.

When his niece Heather made an appeal in the Tele and organised a race night they were amazed at the response.

Thousands of pounds poured in from the likes of the Senit Foundation charity and Ferguson’s shipyard.

Heather added: “I was overwhelmed and can’t thank the Tele and local people enough.

“One woman stopped me in the street and gave me £600.”

The money helped pay for the annual trip to Royal Boston, in Stephen’s memory.

Delighted Sunshine Club chairman Douglas Salmon said: “We went for four days and had a great time.

“We managed to get a booking for 35 of us at a great hotel.

“We cannot thank Heather and the family enough for her fundraising efforts, between that and the donations received from local business and the generosity of the people of Inverclyde over £5,000 was raised after the piece appeared in the Telegraph.

“I personally can’t thank everyone enough.”