We’re on your side, pledge Roughyeds

In the pink . . . Roughyeds chairman Bill Quinn with (from left) Link4Pink chairman Rita Bottomley, consultant breast surgeon Maria Bramley, appeal member Liz Norbury and appeal secretary Tracy Knuckey

BREAST cancer patients in Oldham have received a sporting boost.

Oldham Roughyeds has adopted Link4Pink as one of its official charities for the next 12 months.

The £250,000 appeal is to help finance the upgrade of facilities at the Royal Oldham Hospital’s Victoria Unit which provides investigation and diagnosis for a variety of breast conditions.

The partnership was launched at the rugby league team’s recent Northern Rail Cup quarter-final tie against Featherstone Rovers at Leigh Sports Village.

Representatives from the unit were introduced to the crowd at half-time with Roughyeds chairman Bill Quinn.

Link4Pink has raised £70,000 towards its target and Roughyed’s chief executive Chris Hamilton, whose partner has twice battled breast cancer, said “Having seen at first-hand the dedication and loyalty shown by everyone associated with the Victoria Unit — staff, patients and fund-raisers alike — the club is proud to associate itself with Link4Pink’s continuing efforts to provide first-class facilities.

“Throughout the coming months the club will organise and support a number of events for this deserving cause and will aim to raise as much money as possible towards the target.”

Roughyeds first became associated with Link4Pink last year when some reserve-team players took part in a sponsored Pink Promenade walk or run around Hollingworth Lake, Littleborough.

Sponsorship raised by Mr Hamilton when he lost weight during the Chronicle’s Get Moving To Health campaign will also be donated to the appeal.

Maria Bramley, the unit’s consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Oldham RLFC have decided to adopt us for the year and we would like to thank the club’s management and its fans for their support.”

“Patients from both Oldham and Rochdale who have a breast problem are cared for by a dedicated team at the Victoria Breast Unit on the Royal Oldham Hospital site.

“The Link4Pink Appeal aims to raise £250,000 to provide an extension to hospital waiting facilities for patients.


Fellas in fine voice
A CONCERT by Saddleworth Male Choir raised £1,011 for Link4Pink.

Debbie Oliver was the soloist at St Anne’s Church, Royton, and appeal chairman Rita Bottomley said: “It was a fantastic night and the singing was super. I feel sorry for the people who missed it!

“The church and all the people who helped were fantastic and I would really like to thank them all.”


Stroll the Pink Promenade
FANCY a Sunday picnic and walk around the tranquil shores of Hollingworth Lake?

Then pick up the telephone and book a place in the Pink Promenade to raise money for Link4Pink.

The charity, which supports the Victoria Breast Unit at the Royal Oldham Hospital, was launched with the same event 12 months ago.

It has since raised £70,000, but organisers say much more is still needed, and they have appealed to Oldhamers to help make the anniversary event a huge success.

Tickets cost £10 each, which include a T-shirt for all participants, available from appeal secretary Tracy Knuckey at the Victoria Breast Unit on 0161-656 1704. The event starts at 1pm on July 5.