A sister’s act of kindness

FOR a good cause . . . Vanessa (front, third left) with friends who completed the Great Manchester Run

THE heartbroken sister of teenage driver Billy Cooney who died following a car crash is organising a celebrity football match in his memory.

Vanessa Cooney (23), from Failsworth, says that raising money for the accident and emergency department where her brother was treated is keeping her going.

Billy (19) suffered severe head injuries when his Vauxhall Corsa went into railings at the Elk Mill roundabout slip road in September, 2010.

Firefighters freed the former Oldham College student from the wreckage. But he died a short time later at the Royal Oldham Hospital.

A group of friends and family have already raised £3,700 when they completed the Great Manchester Run, while a non-uniform day at Royton and Crompton School made £50.

The football match is part of a charity day featuring live music, stalls and rides which will run from 10.30am to 8pm at the Lord Lane football pitches on Saturday, July 2.

Tickets cost £3 and Vanessa is appealing for celebrities to take part and businesses to sponsor the event.

She said: “I wanted to raise money for something that was relevant to Billy.

“He was in accident and emergency, he did not go to a ward.

“Also many people in Oldham have visited the accident and emergency, everyone can relate to it.

“I want to raise as much money as I can because it is keeping me occupied.

“I do not want to set a target and then think ‘I have reached that target, I can stop’.

“If I wasn’t doing this I wouldn’t be able to do anything, I would hit rock bottom.

“I know Billy is watching me and I have got to make him proud.”

To support the day contact Vanessa on 07545-319 011.