Twins celebrate 80th with a gift to hospice

Reporter: Karen Doherty
Date online: 03 February 2010

TWINS John and Robert Williamson raised £930 at their 80th birthday party to help terminally ill children.

The pair, who grew up in Ash Street, Oldham, asked for donations to Francis House Children’s Hospice, Didsbury, rather than presents to mark their big day on December 1.
Around 150 family and friends attended a party at St Anne’s Rugby Club and John said: “When you get to 80 you do not need any presents!

“We were very pleased with the amount. It is a bit more than we thought and I would like to thank everyone for their support.”

John, of Stoneleigh Street, Derker. is a former paint-shop foreman and is married to Margaret, while retired mechanic Robert lives with his wife Jean in Alt Lane, Alt.

They have five children, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren between them.

The two remain close and John added: ‘We have a younger brother as well. We meet every Tuesday to put the world to rights.”

They decided to support Francis House through a connection with the Rev David Ireland, from Union Street United Reformed Church, who is chief executive of the hospice.

“Mr Ireland is the son of a friend of ours who died a couple of years ago,” explained John.

“He invited us to Francis House to look around.

“It is nothing like you imagine. It’s an excellent place and anything but depressing.”