HUGE SUCCESS OPERATION BULLSEYE HITS TARGET

SKY SPORTS pundit Glen Durrant has paid tribute to his niece Zara for delivering the biggest-ever darts military event.

The three-times world champion was one of the star names who attended Operation Bullseye, presented by Defence Darts in Aylesbury.

There were over 500 who participated with star players taking on military qualifiers and over £20,000 was raised for armed forces mental health charities.

Zara is Managing Director of Defence Darts and was recently awarded a three star commendation as part of the King’s birthday honours list for her services.

Glen admitted: “She’s so driven in everything she does. She has a real vision of where this can go, she’s a dreamer.

“It’s a privilege to be working with the guys in the forces, the veterans. It’s a massive event, you're playing in front of 500 people.

“I always believed that darts was a working man’s sport, it came from the grassroots. It’s been elevated to almost rock and roll right now.

“That is how proud the family are of Zara. Whatever words I could say, that is an indication.”

Top players Chris Dobey, Justin Hood, Ricky Evans, Alan Soutar and Ritchie Edhouse showed their support at the event. Dobey and Darren McMahon took the glory on the oche.

Mum-of-three Zara was a logistics mover in the Royal Air Force and famously organised for her entire crew to watch her uncle Glen play in the Premier League while stationed in the Falkland Islands.

Mum-of-three Zara added: “It was our biggest event yet with over 500 attending and raised over £20,000 for military charities.

“I’d like to say a huge thanks to all the military personnel who got involved and, of course, the darts stars who kindly gave their time for the event.

“Also a big thank you to the sponsors who made it possible.

“I’m very proud of how far we’ve come and the aim is to keep growing this amazing event.”

Scottish firefighter Soutar served for a decade as a commando in 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery.

Earning his green beret at a young age, he completed operational tours of duty in demanding locations including Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Bosnia, Norway, and Brunei.

He said: “When you encounter a veteran or a soldier that's done multiple tours of Afghanistan, seen multiple horrendous things, lost mates, lost comrades.

“People that have lost family members; wives that have lost husbands, husbands that have lost wives. I don’t think you can fully understand that unless you were there with them and served. There’s so many people that get affected by it.

“To give a little bit back. If the military charities here tonight can take a little bit of money from the pot and help one solider each, it will increase and help more people.”

Defence Darts: www.defencedartscommunity.co.uk/

Words by Phil Lanning