Club members pool talents

Your Chronicle supports the £100,000 Oldham Christie’s appeal

THE memory of two popular members of a Failsworth sports and social club prompted a 24-hour pool marathon to pot a stash of charity cash.

The Christie’s at Oldham campaign was the unrivalled winner of the event, at Failsworth’s Libby Sports and Social Club, pocketing £1,153.

The marathon was run alongside a charity fun day, held in honour of lifelong members Tommy and Mavis Fields, from Failsworth, who were both treated at the Christie Hospital, and who both died last year.

Club members Donny McEwan, Phil Cowley and Tony Bennett played more than 400 games of pool in the 24-hour marathon.

Committee member Val O’Brien, who helped to organise the day, along with his wife Lorraine, Donny McEwan, and club stewardess Sheila Cowley, said: “It was a brilliant day and the lads did a fantastic job staying up for 24 hours playing pool.

“We wanted to hold the charity day in memory of Tommy and Mavis, who were lovely people and members of the club for more than 30 years, and raise money for the new radiotherapy centre.”

The day also featured a bowls competition, barbecue, bouncy castle, face-painting by Val’s daughter, Cara O’Brien, a Motown and 1970s disco and a raffle.

A Manchester City signed shirt and Manchester United signed football were the star prizes up for grabs, and club member Terry Nickson donated £150 in memory of his brother who died of cancer.

The club now plans to make it an annual event in honour of Mr and Mrs Fields.

Jacky Plant, community fund-raising officer for the Christie, said: “We are delighted to see so many people raising money for our new centre in Oldham which will offer fantastic facilities and high-quality care.

“Thank you to everyone at Libby Sports and Social Club.”


Pub landlady issues fund-raising challenge

THE landlady at the Kings Arms, Shaw, has thrown out a challenge to locals to help make a fund-raising day in memory of her late step-mother a big success.

Sheryl Hallay lost her step-mother, Shirley Blackford, to cancer just four weeks before she took over the Oldham Road pub.

The 35-year-old has now been behind the bar of the Kings for four months, and on Sunday is throwing a huge fun day to raise money for the Christie’s at Oldham campaign.

“Christie’s were absolutely awesome with my step-mum, and I want to give something back,” said Sheryl.

“She was in and out of the hospital for a good length of time and they were fantastic with her.

“It’s not just my step-mum. I was at the Werneth Arms for four years, and I had customers with various cancers who were also treated at the Christie.”

Sunday’s fun day starts at noon and goes on until late. Local artists will take to the stage, and there will be a bouncy castle, karaoke, face-painting, a raffle and an auction. Everyone is welcome.


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.