Fund-raiser by Mike — who beat cancer twice

Your Chronicle supports the Oldham Christie Appeal

THE Christie’s at Oldham Campaign is set to benefit from the actions of a man who has been treated twice for cancer.

Former Lees man Michael Cunningham is organising a beach party — without the sand — at Milnrow Working Men’s Club.

The Bank Holiday event takes place on Sunday, August 30, starting at 1pm and will carry on until the sun goes down and revellers decide to go home.

But Michael needs a little help with the final preparations, after he was struck by a second bout of cancer which left him low and set him back in making the arrangements. Doctors found a malignant tumour in his neck in February, 16 years after he was treated for cancer in the lymph glands.

“Within a week they had taken it out, and although I have been given the all-clear and don’t need radiotherapy, the appeal is very dear to my heart,” said Michael.

“When I found out about it I wanted to get as much money as possible for it, and the money from the beach party is a start.”

The 40-year-old, who now lives in Milnrow, is the club’s events co-ordinator and is organising the beach party for the second year.

Children’s entertainment will run throughout the afternoon, local artists will sing for free, memory balloons will be released, and there is a barbecue, auction and raffle.

Michael has appealed for businesses to donate raffle and auction prizes in a bid to top the £2,500 raised by the event last year for the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths.

Appealing for families to support it, he issued an invitation: “Come and join us. It will be a brilliant day for people of all ages.

“It was just a silly idea we came up with to call it a beach party. Last year everyone dressed up in Hawaiian clothes and it’s all about having a bit of fun.”

Anyone who wants to donate a prize can contact Michael on 07810 -713703 or send it to Milnrow Working Men’s Club marked for his attention, at 131 Dale Street, Milnrow, OL16 3NW.


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.