Harold, 78, leads walk of thanks
Reporter: Marina Berry
Date published: 01 July 2009
Ready to walk for the Christie . . . Harold Nield (eighth from the right) and his supporters
IT was best foot forward for a group of Christie fund-raisers who enjoyed a four-mile meander around Uppermill.
They were mustered by 78-year-old Harold Nield, of Warburton Court, Uppermill, and raised £1,300, largely as a result of the Cross Keys pub putting a poster in the bar asking for sponsorship for the Christie’s at Oldham appeal.
Harold said: “It’s absolutely brilliant — it made me feel 10 feet tall. While I was the leader of the mystery tour, I finished up at the rear on a rather strenuous climb back to the Cross Keys, which I put down to my ageing legs.”
The effort was a way of saying thank you by a number of walkers, including Harold, who have all had radiotherapy treatment at the Christie Hospital. Harold, who walked with his son, Mike, and daughter, Jennifer Chandler, said: “I had prostate cancer five years ago and I had to make 16 journeys to Withington in February.
“It wasn’t very nice, and when I saw this appeal I thought it was great news to bring radiotherapy services to Oldham. It will make a big difference for hundreds of men and women from Oldham who will receive radiotherapy, and I thought it would be nice to try and do something to help.”
Harold and his wife, Lily, who was unable to do the walk, were landlord and landlady of the Cross keys, Uppermill, from 1972 to 1978. They are still regulars at the pub.
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) and sent to the Appeals Office, 555 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4BX. If sending cash, enclose a covering letter to say it is for the Christie At Oldham campaign.
