Family fundraisers have plenty of zip

Old Trafford slide in memory of twin brother

A FAMILY who have raised more than £15,000 for the Christie Hospital are gearing up for a daredevil fundraiser on Sunday.

Philip Greenwood (35) is zip sliding into Old Trafford in memory of his twin brother Gareth Greenwood, who was treated for skin cancer at the Royal Oldham Hospital, but died in January, 2009.

Philip will be joined at the adrenalin-fuelled event by his cousin, David Greenwood (36).

The pair worked with Gareth and his dad, Gordon, at Lockwood and Greenwood garage in Audenshaw.

The twins’ mum, Jennifer, who lives in Lydgate, described Gareth’s death as “a short, shocking and very painful illness.”

Philip and David will slide 190 metres from the West Stand to the East Stand across Manchester United’s ground at speeds of up to 25mph.

David said: “Jennifer’s been doing most of the fundraising so we thought we’d better give her a break — and what better way is there than plummeting down a zip wire to do it!”

She said: “I am thrilled they are doing the zip slide because it’s fun. It’s something Gareth would have enjoyed doing.

“We are carrying on raising money which is helping treat young people who have had cancer or who are receiving treatment.”

Jennifer raised £6,000 walking the Great Wall of China, while her sister-in-law, Jill Greenwood, from Delph, raised £300 at a coffee morning.

To sponsor the cousins’ zipslide visit www.hopefunds.Christies.org/funds/garethgreenwood .