A POOL player who has used his skills with a cue to help a Renfrewshire hospice pocket thousands of pounds is gearing up for one last fundraising challenge.

Phil Steven, 55, aims to coin in ‘pots’ of cash for St Vincent’s Hospice by sinking 8,000 balls in a marathon 36-hour stint.

The dad-of-two has previously taken on three pool ball challenges for the Howwood charity since 2016 – the last of which proved to be a real test of his endurance as he potted 7,000 balls within 24 hours.

Phil told The Gazette: “This will be my final challenge because, even if I wanted to do it again, I don’t think my back could take it.

“When it got to the last couple of frames during my last challenge in 2018, I was really struggling.

“It really does take its toll, so this time I will have heat packs and a back brace at the ready.”

However, Phil reckons he is on cue to meet the challenge by practicing several hours a day on his pool table at home.

The Howwood man said: “Pool was the only sport I was really any good at and, when I was wee, me and my dad used to play snooker together.

“When my old man died, he left me a bit of money and that’s what I used to buy the pool table, which my boy now uses as well.”

Phil’s final challenge, which will involve playing a staggering 534 frames non-stop, takes place at Midton Bowling Club, in Howwood, starting at noon on Friday, December 11.

He added: “I’d like to thank Michael Quinn and Andy Currie for organising and refereeing these events, as well as everyone who has donated so far, including Arnold Clark, which has donated £1,000.

“It will be the end of an era but I’ll still be taking part in other events in the future to raise money for St Vincent’s.”

Carol-Anne Lamont, fundraising manager at St Vincent’s Hospice, is full of praise for Phil.

She said: “We are absolutely over the moon to see the return of ‘Pool ball Phil Steven’ this year, for one final challenge for his local hospice.

“The support Phil has offered to the hospice in recent years, raising thousands of pounds and supporting so many families in their darkest days, has been second to none.

“This year, as he aims to undertake his biggest challenge to date and, having already raised over £4,000, we cannot say a big enough thank-you.”

To show your support for Phil’s fundraising efforts, make a donation online at justgiving.com/fundraising/thelasteverpoolballchallenge.