Paul strikes gold with fundraiser

CAMPAIGNING father Paul Radcliffe has pulled off a fundraising coup, with the help of a sporting friend.

For the Chadderton man, who has dedicated himself to raising awareness of an illness which almost claimed the life of his son, is to auction a T-shirt signed by nine of Great Britain’s Olympic Games gold medal winners.

The rare item of clothing has been signed by three-time gold medallist Chris Hoy (cycling), Rebecca Adlington (two swimming golds), Christine Ohuruogu (athletics), Victoria Pendleton (cycling), Nicola Cook (cycling), James DeGale (boxing), Tom James and Peter Reid (rowing) and Ben Ainslie (sailing).

And Paul, whose 10-year-old son Oliver fell victim to meningitis when he was just 14 months old, is keeping the precious T-shirt firmly under wraps until the auction date.

Oliver spent 14 days in intensive care and was lucky to make a full recovery.

The signatures were collected by family friend Ian Corcoran, who travelled to the Beijing games and managed to get the victorious Olympians to autograph the shirt.

Paul said: “We are very privileged to have this T-shirt and it’s all down to Ian. If he sees an opportunity he grabs it for us.

“The signatures are on an official Beijing 2008 vest worn by the athletes representing Great Britain.”

Paul works tirelessly to raise money for meningitis research, and raises between £4,000 and £5,000 with an annual fundraising evening.

Now in its eighth year, the event is on Saturday, October 18, at St Herbert’s Parish Centre, Chadderton, when the prized T-shirt will be auctioned to the highest bidder.

Appealing for people to support the cause, he said: “It’s a good night, and if we raise £1,000 it will be fantastic.”

More information is available on meningitis from the Meningitis Research Foundation on 080-8800-3344.