A 78 year old bingo caller near Great Yarmouth has been dubbed a ‘Community Star’ for the tireless work she has done to raise funds through bingo. Blanche Gibbs has managed to raise over £30,000 for charity over the last eleven years, supporting various organisations such as the Air Ambulance and schools, charities and volunteer groups in her community. North Norfolk MP, Norman Lamb recently presented Blanche with an MP’s Heroes Award for her work, saying: "She is a remarkable woman and a real star. She is an absolute example to us all for putting others before herself - while entertaining a lot of people on the way."

Blanche’s fund-raising efforts began in August 1999, when she decided to raise funds for the Air Ambulance, after they worked hard to save a young boy who was knocked down by a car in Stalham.  Since then, she has held a huge number of bingo events to generate funds for charities in her community. “When I started 11 years ago I never thought I would still be going today,” this kind-hearted online bingo fan said. She went on to say that she sees it as more than just an opportunity for locals to come out and support good causes. “The reason I think the bingo nights are popular is because it gives people somewhere to go and socialise and have fun at their bingo hall.”