Family’s premier prize
Date published: 24 February 2009
HERE we go . . . Brandon Carroll collects the tickets from solicitor John Ainley (right) with (from left) Brian Hurst (appeals manager for Dr Kershaw’s), raffle organiser Gill Bussey and Cindy Carroll
A MOORSIDE family is in for a treat after winning a raffle which netted £1,300 for Dr Kershaw’s Hospice.
Cindy Carroll bought the winning ticket in a draw which means the family will be VIP guests at Manchester United’s game with Portsmouth.
Cindy, husband Mark, their seven-year-old son Brandon and Cindy’s brother-in-law Garry Shearman are excitedly looking forward to their big day out.
The match was set for the weekend but has been postponed because it clashes with the Carling Cup final. It is yet to be rescheduled. Cindy bought the ticket from Dr Kershaw’s Hospice to support its work when her mother, Mary Robinson, was admitted earlier this month.
Mrs Robinson, who lived in Goya Rise, Sholver, died the following day, but Cindy said she would have been thrilled to bits if she had known her family had won the top prize. The four will drive to Old Trafford on the day of the match, where they will get free parking and enjoy a slap-up meal, with wine, before watching the game.
The prize was donated by Oldham solicitor John Ainley. He met the family to hand over the tickets for the Premier League clash.
Cindy (35), of Hodge Clough Road, Moorside, said: “I bought the ticket for Mark and Brandon really — they are really happy.”
United fan Mark beamed: “I have been to matches before, but never like this. I usually just end up getting a butty outside.”
