Helping hospice easy as pie for actor John

Photo: Anthony Miller

actor John Henshaw tucks into a pie in the name of charity with local business owners (from the left) Paul Lowcock, Craig Dean and Simon Jones

ACTOR star John Henshaw has been indulging in a wealth of scrumptious local produce — and its all in the name of charity.

On a whistle-stop tour of Uppermill’s shops, the Grasscroft-based celebrity tried out pies, sweets sausages, cupcakes and cheese as he launched Dr Kershaw’s latest appeal.

The two-month-long Saddleworth Scrumptious Selection campaign involves six businesses each choosing one food item to sell, with profits donated to the charity.

John, famed for starring roles in “Early Doors”, “Born and Bred” and as the face of the Post Office, is the new patron of the Royton hospice.

He said: “This helps me to keep my weight up! All the products have passed the taste test with flying colours.

“I’m delighted to be involved with the hospice and I shall certainly be coming back to try out the food again.”

The tasty products include a “Kickin’ Kershaw Sausage” and “Mouth Almighty Cheese” — both sold at Paul’s Quality Meats — and home-made pork and black pudding pies from Chutney Deli.

Owner Simon Jones, said: “I shop locally and we all help each other out in the village so it’s great to be boosting awareness of the hospice and raise money.”

Sweet Memories of Saddleworth has put together a special mix, A Spoonful of Sugar is donating profits from cappuccinos and Buckley’s Bakery chose cupcakes.

Christine Harrop, hospice community fund-raiser, said: “Getting John, a comedy actor, as our new patron is fantastic — it puts the fun into fund-raising.

“We get a tremendous amount of support from the Saddleworth area.

“I’m just delighted that so many food retailers have joined us with the latest campaign.”