£20,000 boost for hospice

The Howards: (l-r) Paul, Lesley and daughter Marie

FIFTEEN years of fund-raising at the Coach and Horses, Waterhead, has raised a remarkable £20,000 for Dr Kershaw’s Hospice.

The money was gathered with collections, raffles and sales as well as the pub’s annual Battle of the Bands contest, organised by Colin Walker of the Backwater Blues Band.

All the bands involved attend a popular weekly jam night, held on Thursdays, giving their time free of charge.

Hospice staff sent a big thank-you to the Howard family - who run the pub - and their “amazing customers”.


THE loss of a friend and fellow sportswoman to cancer prompted a group of women to pledge their support to Dr Kershaw’s, writes Marina Berry.
Michelle Bamford was treated for skin cancer and began voluntary work at the hospice’s charity shop in Shaw to give something back.

The disease returned and spread and Michelle, a member of Shaw Magpies and Crompton Ladies Rounder’s teams, died in July, 2011 at 42.

Fellow team members rallied for the Royton hospice and the last 20 months have raised £20,000.

Sue Croll, who plays for both teams, said: “Michelle was really passionate about Dr Kershaw’s, so when we lost her we wanted to do something in her memory.

“We said we would support the charity she has always supported, and the amount we have raised is testament to how popular Michelle was.”

Michelle’s friends are poised to take part in the Hospice to Hospice Walk on April 14.