Bending backwards for a good cause

Limbo-dancers (from the left) Steven Simpson, Mark Durr, Neil Thompson and Antony Schofield.

Oldham Christie appeal

THERE was a hoola lot of fun in Denshaw when more than 100 revellers let their hair down to raise £2,300 in a Caribbean night.

And four volunteers got more than they bargained for when they answered an appeal for “strong men” to get up on stage.

They were instructed to peel off their party tops and don Hawaiian shirts, grass skirts and coconuts before swaying seductively and doing the limbo to the sounds of a 10-piece steel band.

The fun-filled evening at Clough Manor was organised by the nine-strong Saddleworth Ladies’ Fund-raising Committee and was one of several events it holds throughout the year.

Last year, the women raised £12,000 for Young Carers in Oldham, and they plan to split this year’s proceeds between the Christie’s at Oldham Campaign and Caroline’s Campaign, which pays for makeovers for women undergoing treatment for cancer.

All the money raised at the Caribbean evening will go to the Christie at Oldham appeal.

Committee member Deborah Martin said: “We wanted to raise money for Oldham’s radiotherapy centre because cancer has touched so many of our lives. I had treatment for bowel cancer, and one of our members has breast cancer, and it is a cause dear to all our hearts.”

She added: “We really wanted to support her in her fight against the disease.

“A glass was raised by everyone on the night in honour of her and in her absence, as she was too ill to attend due to the chemotherapy.

“As a committee, we have a policy to raise money for local charities from which local people will benefit.”

The committee also has an autumn fashion show, a girls’ night out, and a winter ball planned over the next 12 months to raise more money.


TO get help or advice in setting up a fund-raising event, contact the appeals office on 0161-446 3988, visit www.christies.org or text OLDHAM CHRISTIE followed by your name and address to 07971-456824 to receive a fund-raising pack. The pack will have details on how to make sure your money goes to the Christie At Oldham Appeal. Cheques should be made payable to The Christie (Oldham Evening Chronicle). If sending cash, enclose a covering letter to say it is for the Christie At Oldham campaign.