WORLD Cup widows are being given the chance to escape a month of football and raise money for the Marie Curie Nurses Appeal.

For G Casino is holding Blooming Great Tea Parties throughout the tournament to provide respite for fed-up footy-haters.

Everyone is invited to the casino, in Moor Lane, in the town centre, tomorrow, on Saturday, June 26 and on Saturday, July 3, from 3pm.

They will enjoy a Gaming and Tea party, with a high tea, including sandwiches, scones and hot drinks, for £10, with at least £2 going to the campaign, as well as a free learn to play session.

Janet Sanderson, general manager at G Casino Bolton, said: “We are very excited to be holding Blooming Great Tea Parties and hope that many of our customers will come along and join in the fun.

“Every £20 we raise at the tea party will fund one hour of local Marie Curie home nursing care and the best news is that the money raised by our casino will be used to fund nurses in Bolton.”

The Marie Curie appeal, backed by The Bolton News, aims to raise £200,000 by the end of September, after being extended beyond this month because the total is expected to be £50,000 short of the target.

Marie Curie fundraisers are confident the extra three months will see the campaign hit the total, with all the money providing free home nursing for local terminally ill people, meaning they can die at home. G Casino and Mecca Bingo are both official supporters of Marie Curie Cancer Care and nationally all money raised will go to the appeal.

Hannah Taylor, community fundraiser with the charity, said: “We are really pleased that G Casino is supporting the charity by holding Blooming Great Tea Parties.

“We’re asking everyone in the community to host their own this summer. It’s such an easy way to get together with friends or family. The money raised by simply popping the kettle on will help more Marie Curie nurses to provide free care to patients with terminal illnesses.”

To find out about holding your own tea party, contact 08700 340 040. Let us know about your event.

PARTY TIME! From left, Colin Bamber, casino manager; Janet Sanderson, general manager; Cath Briercliffe, Tina Robinson, Jennifer Maguire, Amanda Moss and Ross Mitton, food and beverage manager from G-Casino, Bolton, which is running tea parties throughout the World Cup for non-football lovers to raise money for Marie Curie cherry.thomas@ theboltonnews.co.uk

But if you do want to catch a match... McCauleys on Bradshawgate, Bolton, will be showing all matches with £3 entry and £1 drinks. The Spread Eagle in Bromley Cross will be showing all matches, and where the weather holds out, putting on BBQ’s as well. Varsity in Churchgate, Bolton, the town centre will also be showing every game and where possible having BBQ’s. Yates’ in Bradshawgate will be showing all the world cup games, with a DJ on during the weekend ones. Also, on 1st July they will be holding a ladies night. The Spinning Mule in Nelson Square will be showing matches but with no commentary. They will have staff dressed in world cup themed outfits. The Founders Arms in St George’s Street, Bolton, will be showing all the England games and any others customers want to watch. The Ainsworth Arms in Halliwell Road, Bolton, will be showing England matches and a selection of other games. The Sportsmans Arms in Chorley Old Road, Johnson Fold, will be showing just the England games. The Hen and Chickens in Deansgate, Bolton, will be also be showing only England games.