Tag: Football Night Fundraiser

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Football Night nets record amount for hospice care

The sixth annual Football Night fundraiser has raised over £9,000 to support local patients and families at the Hospice.

The record-breaking amount – almost double last year’s total – was made possible thanks to the generosity of footballing legends, supporters, and dedicated volunteers.

More than 200 football fans from across Tameside gathered on Friday 26th September for an evening of laughter, memories and behind-the-scenes stories from Manchester City greats Joe Corrigan MBE, David White and Brian Horton.

Hosted by former top-flight referee Roger Dilkes, the event – held at Dukinfield Masonic Hall for the third successive year – proved to be a huge hit, with the audience enjoying candid and entertaining insights from the trio of City stars.

Over the years, a host of football favourites – including Martyn Buchan, Peter Barnes, Eamon O’Keefe, Trevor Ross, Ella Toone, Alex Williams MBE and Tommy Booth – have appeared free of charge to help raise vital funds for the Hospice. This year was no different, with the three City legends ensuring the night was one to remember.

Former professional goalkeeper and Manchester FA ambassador Allan Grafton MBE once again played a crucial role in securing the support of the footballing guests.

Around 200 people enjoyed a trip down football memory lane at Dukinfield Masonic Hall

The Football Night is organised each year by long-time Hospice supporters Brian Wild and Chris Smith, who have together raised more than £40,000 for Willow Wood since Chris’s wife was cared for at the Hospice in 2013.

Former Tameside Civic Mayor and Hospice patron Brian Wild said: “We’re all volunteers and even the pie and peas for 200 guests are made at home by Cllr Denise Ward, at her own expense. We aimed to raise £7,000 but this result is just astonishing. Chris and I are so pleased this money will go straight towards providing compassionate and dignified care for people across Tameside and Glossop.”

“The Football Night always sells out, and the tickets get snapped up quickly. I take my hat off to the sportspeople who give up their time to entertain and support the Hospice. Many people here have a personal connection to Willow Wood, and this event shows how deeply the Hospice touches local lives.”

Much of the fundraising success also came from the wider community, with sponsorship and donations from local businesses including Cosmo Bingo (Stalybridge), Bay Freight, Manchester Credit Union, APEX Joinery, Lo-Cost Windows and Hyde Accessible Transport Ltd, among others.

Lucy Ta’ati, Community Fundraiser at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “Without people like Brian and Chris organising these events, Willow Wood would not be able to continue offering the care and support our community needs. We are truly grateful for their incredible dedication and for the generosity of everyone who supported this year’s Football Night.”

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Football Night scores big for hospice care

A Lionesses star was part of the line-up at a Big Football Night Fundraiser, which has scored over £5,200 for hospice funds.

Manchester United Women forward Ella Toone told fascinating stories about the world of football, alongside her partner and fellow footballer Joe Bunney, ex-Manchester City goalkeeper Alex Williams MBE and former City kitman Les Chapman.

The fifth annual event was held recently at Dukinfield Masonic Hall, where almost 200 guests were treated to a fun night along with a pie and pea supper.

This year, a record amount was raised for Willow Wood Hospice – which provides specialist, dignified and compassionate care to patients with a life-limiting illness from Tameside and Glossop.

Councillor Denise Ward – who once again provided the pie and peas, paid for herself and made in her own kitchen – was also presented with a certificate by the Hospice for being an unsung hero for supporting fundraising efforts.

The popular event is organised by Brian Wild and Chris Smith, who are long-time supporters of Willow Wood.

Over the years, football favourites such as Martin Buchan, Peter Barnes, Eamon O’Keefe, Trevor Ross and Tommy Booth have appeared to help raise money for the hospice.

Lucy Ta’ati, Community and Events Fundraiser at Willow Wood, said: “Only 21.5 per cent of our annual running costs come through government funding – the rest must be raised through the generosity of our local community.

“Without the unbelievable efforts of people giving up their time to raise money through events such as the Football Night, the hospice would not be able to continue to provide vital services for those who need our care.

“We want to say a big thank you to Chris and Brian, the footballers past and present for giving their time, and everyone who contributed to a wonderful and successful evening.”

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Big Football Night Fundraiser for Willow Wood

An evening of funny stories, memories and fun with well-known footballers past and present will be held in Tameside in aid of Willow Wood Hospice.

The fifth annual Willow Wood Football Night takes place at Dukinfield Masonic Hall on Friday 1st November from 8pm.

Over the years, football favourites such as Martyn Buchan, Peter Barnes, Eamon O’Keefe, Trevor Ross and Tommy Booth have appeared to help raise money for the Hospice.

This year, Manchester United and England star Ella Toone will tell her fascinating story of being a lifelong United fan and how she joined the club as a junior before moving because there wasn’t a senior women’s team at the time.

Spells at Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City followed, as she progressed through England’s Under-17s and Under-19s levels before returning to United in 2018 when they re-introduced a women’s team.

Also part of the line-up is former Manchester City goalkeeper Alex Williams MBE, who will explain his life in football and the work he went to specialise in after his days between the posts for City.

Ex-City kitman and club legend Les Chapman will be appearing, with some hilarious stories from inside the City dressing room. As a midfielder, he played in the Football League between 1966 and 1987, making 749 appearances, before spells in coaching with Stockport County, Preston North End, Huddersfield Town and Manchester City.

Completing the guest list is Joe Bunney, who played in the Football League for the likes of Bolton Wanderers, Hartlepool United and Rochdale as well as at non-league level for Ashton United, Macclesfield and Lancaster City among others.

Joe, who still plays today, has a wealth of information about the life of a player earning a living in the sport and insight into the difficulties and opportunities faced by young footballers.

They will be in conversation with former top-flight referee Roger Dilkes, who will be the Master of Ceremonies for the night.

The popular event is organised by Brian Wild and Chris Smith, who are long-time supporters of Willow Wood.

They are hoping to raise a record £5,000 this year for the Hospice – which provides specialist, compassionate and dignified care to patients from Tameside and Glossop with life-limiting illnesses.

“We’ve raised thousands for the Hospice over the years and many people have a real connection with the work the Hospice does – it touches almost every family at some point of their lives,” said Brian Wild, who is a patron of the Hospice.

“The Football Night always sells out early and the tickets get snapped up. I take my hat off to these sportspeople that give up their time for free to entertain the 200-plus audience.”

Vanessa Murphy-Wood, Community Fundraiser at Willow Wood Hospice, commented: “Without people like Brian and Chris organising these events, Willow Wood would not continue to operate so we cannot thank them enough.

“Putting on these events make a massive difference. If you’re a football fan, or just want a good night out, please get a ticket if you can and help support the Hospice.”

Tickets are £15 each, which includes pie and mushy peas, and can be bought by calling 0161 718 7911.

LISTEN: Click on the play button below to hear Brian and Chris speaking to Tameside Radio’s Alex Cann all about the event…

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Football Night Fundraiser scores big for hospice

Almost 200 people enjoyed a fantastic evening of funny stories, memories and fun in Dukinfield, which raised a massive £3,740 for the Hospice.   

Former professional footballers Peter Barnes, Tommy Booth and Trevor Ross engaged in a fascinating trip down football memory lane, sharing stories and anecdotes about their lives and funny events in the world of football in the last century.

They certainly kept the packed audience at the Masonic Hall entertained on Friday night (10th November).

Trevor, who was born in Ashton-under-Lyne, where the Hospice is based, said: “I’m so pleased to have been able to help Willow Wood Hospice and meet so many old friends in Tameside.”

Long-time supporters of the Hospice, Chris Smith and Brian Wild, who organised the event for the fourth year running, had aimed to raise £2,500 and, such was the demand, tickets had sold out weeks prior to the night.

“We’re astonished at the generosity of the crowds that attended,” said Brian, a former Trustee of the Hospice and Civic Mayor of Tameside.

“The audience had a great night and we sent them home happy – which is down to the kindness of the football legends Peter, Trevor and Tommy, who gave their time free of charge and really entertained us all.

“Master of ceremonies and former Premiership referee Roger Dilkes held the night together with professional skill, without a single yellow or red card issued – and VAR wasn’t used once!”

Chris commented: “Everyone involved gave their time as volunteers but I must single out Councillor Denise Ward, who singlehandedly produced pie and peas for 200 people, donating all the ingredients herself.

“That sort of volunteering and commitment is vital and wonderful in our determination to support our local hospice.

“Plans are already under way for the 2024 event but we have headaches already – how do you top this amazing result?”

Lisa Buckley, Community Fundraiser at Willow Wood Hospice, hailed the success of the event.

She said: “We hope that everyone who attended had a great night and we are thrilled that a magnificent amount of money has been raised which will make a huge difference to patients in our local community who need our care.

“We are immensely grateful to Brian and Chris for organising the popular event once again, to Dukinfield Masonic Hall for hosting and to all of the volunteers who supported what was a fabulous night.”

Pictured: (left to right) Arsenal and Everton legend Trevor Ross, fundraiser Brian Wild and former Premiership referee Roger Dilkes.

By Adam Higgins

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Take a trip down football memory lane for Willow Wood

Chris Smith, Lisa Buckley and Brian Wild outside the hospice

An evening of funny stories, memories and fun with three former professional footballers will be held in Tameside in aid of Willow Wood Hospice.

It’s the fourth time the nostalgic event called ‘A trip down football memory lane’ is taking place, organised by Brian Wild and Chris Smith, who are long-time supporters of the hospice.

Brian, a former Civic Mayor of Tameside, was once a Trustee at Willow Wood and has even dressed up as Woody, the hospice’s mascot, on occasion.

The line-up for the nostalgic night is former Manchester City, Manchester United and England winger Peter Barnes, ex-Manchester City and Preston North End defender Tommy Booth, and former Everton and Arsenal midfielder Trevor Ross, who was born in Ashton-under-Lyne and now works in Oldham.

They will be in conversation with former top-flight referee Roger Dilkes, who will be the Master of Ceremonies for the night.

It’s on Friday 10 November at Dukinfield Masonic Hall, starting at 8pm.

Chris said: “We love doing it for Willow Wood, the hospice is so supportive and a great organisation. Everybody in the area has had their hearts touched by Willow Wood at some time.

“My wife passed away in Willow Wood and I’ve always had a longing desire to help fund it because hospices only get very limited funding from the NHS and have to find the rest of the money needed to keep going.

“We put this together, which usually raises between £1,500 and £2,000 each year, and everyone gets to have a good night. We would love to see you there.”

Brian added: “Willow Wood is a place we hope we never need but the hospice gives first-class care to everybody so I will always do what I can to support it.

“We love putting on the Football Night Fundraiser. We raise a lot of money on the raffle alone so, if there’s anyone who has any raffle prizes – however small – that they are willing to donate, we would gratefully accept them and happily pick them up from you.”

Lisa Buckley, Community Fundraiser at Willow Wood Hospice, commented: “Without people like Brian and Chris organising these events, Willow Wood would not continue to operate so we cannot thank them enough.

“Unfortunately, this year we are facing a deficit of over £600,000 so when people step up to put on these events, they make a massive difference. If you’re a football fan, or just want a good night out, please get a ticket if you can and help support the hospice.”

Tickets cost £10 including pie and mushy peas – which are generously donated by a volunteer, Denton councillor Denise Ward.

To get your tickets, call 0161 308 2685 or email Chris at smithowls@gmail.com

By Adam Higgins