Musical team hit right note

Entertainers Eddie Ball (left) Aiden Roberts (centre) and Tom Donohue.

A TEAM which has raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity while entertaining town centre shoppers has been nominated for a Pride in Oldham award.

Singers Eddie Ball (64) and 16-year-old Tom Donohue are a familiar sight and sound on Market Place on Saturdays and Mondays.

The duo, from Middleton, give up their free time to entertain shoppers in aid of Cancer Research UK, along with Aiden Roberts (53), from Oldham, who helps with the equipment.

Eddie started the charity effort 15 years ago and has raised a staggering £70,000 for the cause which is close to his heart.

He lost his mum and sister to cancer and used to sing and fundraise with the late John Alexander, who also died after battling the disease.

“I enjoy doing it and I never get fed up.

“The reaction from the public speaks for itself,” said Eddie.

He met the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 2002 to mark the creation of Cancer Research UK, which brought together two charities, and added: “She thanked me personally for what I had done.”

Tom, who is a professional musician, teamed up with Eddie about four years ago and also plays the keyboard.

They have received several Pride in Oldham nominations for their “tireless work” over the years.

One said “They give their time freely and every penny is given to charity.”