Pals are a tonic

ANTONY Bott (centre) receives the cheque from friends (from left) Ben Foster, Jacob Snelson, Obinna Ebizie, Elliot Messam and James Schofield

A NORTH Chadderton School pupil who is battling cancer received a £9,000 boost from five of his pals.

Their mums organised a benefit event at Spring Bank Bowling Club to raise money to help Antony Bott’s family during his treatment.

The teenager, of Tulip Close, Chadderton, was on holiday in Italy in July when he was diagnosed with leukaemia. He is receiving chemotherapy at Christie Hospital and family friends have rallied round to show their support.

The event included an auction for goodies including signed Ricky Hatton boxing gloves, a signed Manchester United shirt and a 1966 Geoff Hurst picture.

Denise Messam, one of the organisers, said: “We had a fantastic day and 240 people or more turned up. It started at 2pm and was still going at 10pm.”

Separate fund-raising events have included a sponsored parachute jump by Scott Green and Jackie Hayward, a wear a cap day at Higher Failsworth Primary School, a dress down day at LBM, Stakehill, and support from Chadderton FC.


FAILSWORTH mother Elaine Booth is planning more fundraising events for Antony after a Hallowe’en benefit party failed to attract as many people as she hoped.

A last-minute appeal for support through the Evening Chronicle last week resulted in a number of wellwishers contacting Elaine offering to make a donation, even though they were unable to make the event at Kehoes night club, Failsworth.

Elaine said she was still totting up the total amount raised, and had some items left over which she intended to auction at another event nearer to Christmas.

She said she had been involved in organising successful fundraising events before and the disappointment had not put her off, but made her determined to try again.