Tribute blooms to professor

The new rose held by the Mayor of Oldham, Councillor Shoab Akhtar, the Mayoress, Mrs Shafeena Kausar, and Jenny Benson, manager of the Cancer Aid and Listening Line

A ROSE will blossom in Oldham’s premier park as a tribute to a charity founder and all those affected by cancer.

Greater Manchester charity CALL, the Cancer Aid and Listening Line, has planted the flower in Alexandra Park to celebrate the life of one of its founder members, Professor Peter Maguire, from Bolton.

The vibrant red rose has been specially grown and named in his memory and will feature in a park in each of the Greater Manchester’s 10 boroughs as a lasting tribute to his work.

CALL president Tom Brown said: “Peter Maguire’s contribution to CALL was enormous.

“From the very beginning Peter was involved in providing specialist listening skills training to enable our volunteers to help those affected by cancer.

“Throughout the years he continued his association with CALL, encouraging, giving his expertise and eventually joining the executive committee as chair and finally as president.”

CALL, set up in 1982 as a telephone helpline, provides support to cancer patients and their family and friends and relies on volunteers for a range of services such as manning phone lines and hands-on help like shopping, dog walking, driving and support.

Anyone with concerns about cancer, or to become a volunteer, can ring 0845-123 23 29, or for more information visit the website at www.canceraid.co.uk