Slaves on auction to do household chores

Photo: CHRIS SUNDERLAND

Slaves for a day . . . Leslie Manning (left) and Angela Collier get in some practice.

The Chronicle supports the Christies at Oldham Appeal

by Marina Berry

Fancy a break from ironing or gardening? Sit down, enjoy a cuppa and let someone else do the chores instead!

The services of a handful of fund raisers-turned-slaves are up for auction at a fun event to raise cash for the Christie’s at Oldham campaign.

Local WeightWatchers leader Angela Collier organised the fund-raising day at the Old Grey Mare in Royton after netting £500 with two coffee mornings at her classes.

She said: “The members were absolutely fabulous, so we decided to go for it and hold another event to bring in even more money.”

Angela has set her sights high, and is aiming for the £2,000 mark to give a much-needed boost to the £100,000 appeal. The fun day starts at noon on Sunday and runs “until late.”

Angela said: “There will be absolutely loads going on. We have a slave auction, men have volunteered to have their bodies waxed, there are lots of artists appearing, a barbecue, an auction for donated items, a raffle, and lots more.

“It will be a great day, and everyone who joins in will be helping to raise money for a great cause.”

Angela is appealing to local people and businesses to donate items for the raffle and auction.

“Anything would be gratefully received, from a bottle of wine or box of biscuits to whatever people can offer,” she said. “We are pushing the boundaries, but we want it to be a huge success.”

Angela is already planning a fourth fund-raising effort with a car treasure hunt on Sunday, July 12. Entry is £10 per car, and treasure hunters will leave the Old Grey Mare Inn at 10am.

And for those who don’t find the treasure, there is still the incentive of a brew and bacon butty on their return. To enter or to donate a prize, contact Angela on 0161-626 1220. Gifts can also be dropped off at the Old Grey Mare, Oldham Road.


Mystery tour by Harold, 78

by Jennifer Hollamby
A SADDLEWORTH pensioner is putting his best foot forward to raise money for the Chronicle’s Christie at Oldham Appeal.

Harold Nield (78), of Warburton Court, Uppermill, will lead a group of 21 fellow walkers on a four-mile magical mystery tour through the picturesque Saddleworth Valley. It will begin and end at the Cross Keys pub, Uppermill, with Harold keeping the route a surprise until the day.

Harold decided to raise money or the new radiotherapy unit at the Royal Oldham Hospital after he battled prostate cancer. He said: “I had to travel to and from Wythenshawe many times during my treatment and it will make life a lot easier for people in the area now that we are building a cancer centre here in Oldham.

“It started off with just me and a few family members doing the walk but news has spread and we’ve now got 22 on board. I’ve already raised about £150 and we’re hoping to raise much more.”

The walk will start on Saturday at 11am. Anyone who would like to sponsor the group can call Harold on: 01457-875670.