Grandad Tony closing in on charity target

A DIGGLE man who wants to find a cure for a muscle-wasting disease has taken another step towards his £100,000 fund-raising target.

Tony Ackroyd’s grandson, Edward Ackroyd (4) has duchenne muscular dystrophy and his family have since dedicated themselves to raising funds for research into the condition which claims most of its victims before their 25th birthday.

At a night of musical entertainment at Saddleworth Civic Hall, Uppermill, they lifted the total raised for Action Duchenne to more than £86,000.

The concert featured Diggle Band, the senior girls’ choir and the junior choir from Oldham Music Centre, and a performance from soloist Briony Franklin from Uppermill and duets by Rodney Pearson and Philip Baxter.

Tony said: “The performances were wonderful. We would like to say a big thank-you to the all people who took part and Three Lions Underwriting which sponsored the event.”

“We hope to hit our target of £100,000 by the end of the year.”

Tony’s next challenge is a sponsored walk around Morecambe Bay which will take place on Saturday.

Anyone wishing to sponsor him can do so at www.justgiving.com/morecambebaytonyackroyd

Or they can send a cheque, payable to Action Duchenne, to Tony Ackroyd, 25 Dorset Ave, Diggle, Oldham, OL3 5PL.