Footballers help Beechwood to raise over £60,000 at comedy lunch

More than £60,000 was raised for Beechwood Cancer Care Centre at its Man@Manchester comedy lunch – making it the charity’s most successful charity event to date.

Beechwood held its second annual Man@Manchester event at The Palace Hotel in Manchester on Black Friday – November 27 – which was attended by more than 400 men including footballer and Beechwood patron Shay Given and his former Aston Villa team-mate Stiliyan Petrov, who had his career cut short by leukaemia.

As well as a three-course meal and exclusive shopping opportunities to miss the crowds on Black Friday, the guests enjoyed entertainment from three top comedians – Stan Boardman, Austin Knight and Gary Marshall.

The day, which is sponsored by Brown Shipley Private Banking and Pareto Financial Services, was hosted by MC Mark Jones and also attended by Tayna Bardsley from the Real Housewives of Cheshire – who was selling her new jewellery range.

Stockport firms at the event included SAS Daniels, 121 Direct Mail, Robant Rollers and Booth Ainsworth.

Ireland goalkeeper Given took to the stage to talk about his connections with Beechwood and losing his mum to cancer when he was just five.

Petrov also took to the stage, saying: “When I had my diagnosis it was really difficult to deal with – not only the cancer but being able to help my wife and children with it – I had to do this myself.

“It was hard and it would have been fantastic to have the support of somewhere like Beechwood – who helps the patients and the family.”

Shay added: “Thank you to everyone who has supported the Man@Manchester event – Beechwood is a fantastic place.”  Angela Gray, fundraising manager at Beechwood on Chelford Grove, Bridgehall, was overwhelmed with the amount of money raised for the centre – double that of last year.

She said: “Man@Manchester was a fantastic event and I am overwhelmed with the generosity from everyone in the room, the Christmas spirit was really alive.

“We have almost doubled the amount raised from last year and it is our most successful Beechwood event so far. Thank you to everyone for your support and our sponsors for helping to make it happen.

“It is great that this has coincided with out silver anniversary – it makes it even more special and we will look forward to next year’s event.”

This year marks Beechwood’s 25^th anniversary of care in the community and the Silver Wing Appeal has been set up in partnership with the Stockport Express to raise £100,000 to enhance patient experience, and that of their loved ones, as well as extending community facilities and a charity shop.

For more information call fundraising on 0161 476 0384 or email fundraising@beechwoodcancercare.co.uk.