Bingo-mad granny completes 4,200-mile tour of bingo halls for charity

By Adam Dutton via SWNS

A bingo-mad gran has raised thousands of pounds for charity by completing a 4,200 mile nationwide tour of Britain's bingo halls.

Gran-of three Yvette Price-Mear made it her mission to visit 60 bingo halls across England and Scotland before she turned 60 on December 19.

She traveled the length of the country with her trusty dabber - from Glasgow to Kent with stops off everywhere in between during her seven month Bingo-a-Thon.

She clocked up 4,200 miles visiting such places as Blackpool, Chester, Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham, and London before finishing at a Mecca in Morden, Surrey on Sunday (Dec 19).

Yvette also managed to collect an impressive £10,500 ( $13,885) in donations and said her epic tour of the country's bingo halls has been the "most fun ever."

"I didn't get back until 3 A.M. this morning (Mon) - we've put in a lot of miles but it has just been the most fun ever," she said.

"We have managed to raise £10,500 which is just amazing, so I'd like to thank everyone who donated during my journey.

"I have two vices bingo and white chocolate. I try and go once a week but sometimes go three times a week.

Gran-of-three Yvette Price-Mear, who has completed a nationwide 4,200 mile tour of Britain's bingo halls raising thousands of pounds for charity. (Mecca Bingo via SWNS)

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"It is a place as a lady you can go on your own and it's a nice atmosphere.

"Bingo is becoming more popular with the younger generation with music, quizzes and entertainment."

Yvette, of Mansfield Woodhouse, Notts., was driven to Mecca bingo halls across the country by her supportive husband Tony, 59.

The mom-of-two's achievement of reaching the 60 milestone also coincided with Mecca bingos 60th anniversary.

She was raising money for Pet Bereavement Support - founded by herself in 1993 - the Carers Trust and her local scout group Mansfield Woodhouse Scouts.

Yvette, who provides respite care for adults with learning disabilities, previously completed a similar week long event around the Midlands.

"In seven days we visited 14 clubs and I then joined a Facebook group of Mecca managers earlier this year," she said.

"They put an appeal out for ideas to celebrate Mecca's 60th anniversary. I thought it's my 60th birthday and their 60th anniversary, why not go on tour?

"That's what I have done and it's been great fun.

"I've had some incredible experiences and have met wonderful people along the way."