The King brings in a small fortune
Feb 21 2007 By Murray Kelso, The Journal
One of the first charity events arranged in aid of The Journal's Josie Grove appeal has rocked its way to a small fortune.
When The Journal announced its Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund in December, Kay Patterson and her husband Derek, an Elvis Presley impersonator, decided there was only one thing for it.
Derek, 54, brushed off his blue suede shoes and Kay got all shook up for the event of the year at Netherton Working Men's Club in Bedlington, Northumberland.
Derek was the star turn with support from punk band Angel Down, fronted by the couple's son, Gary - and raffles, bingo and general shenanigans were thrown in.
The 200 tickets sold out in double-quick time and on the night even more people turned up to see Derek - a window cleaner by day - strut his stuff.
Kay, 49, of Coquetdale Place, Bedlington, said: "Derek and I have been raising money for charity for six or seven years and when we heard about Josie it seemed the ideal thing.
"With the tickets, games and a donation bucket on the bar we collected £1,631 - which is the most we have ever raised. This really is an appeal close to people's hearts.
"Derek is well-known already for his Elvis act so that drew people in and they knew they were going to have a good time.
"As well as that my sisters did a wonderful job arranging some terrific prizes for the raffle. We'd like to thank everyone for their generosity."
The Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund has almost topped £15,000 and has already helped young cancer-sufferers in the North.
An inspiration to many, 16-year-old Josie, from Princes Street, Corbridge, decided to stop her cancer treatment after two unsuccessful bone marrow transplants, so she could spend as much time as possible with her family.
She has received support and admiration from across the UK for her courage, none more so than from her parents, Cliff and Jacqui, who have three other children, Freddie, 13, Libby, 11 and eight-month-old Charlie.
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Thanks go to readers who have pushed the appeal to within a whisker of its next landmark. The Fund has now reached an impressive £14,419.45.
C & M Robson, Walkerville, Newcastle, £25
John & Anne Rice, Stannington, Northumberland, £25
Miss M Budd, £30
Mrs Sarah Murphy, Alnmouth, Northumberland, £20
David Lee, £20
Mr & Mrs Mason, £15
Mrs M C Richardson, Barnard Castle, County Durham, £10
Jim & Chris Crinson, Alnwick, Northumberland, £100
K Leary, Lanchester, Durham, £20
Tynedale Rotary Club, £1,320
Karin Morgan, Bath, £10
D & W Armstrong, Jarrow, £20
JC & KA Newton, Cornhill on Tweed, Northumberland
F X Newton, Convent of Mercy Care Home, Colwyn Bay, £46.66
Mrs J Davison, Hartley West Farm, Seaton Sluice, Northumberland, £50
Mrs M H Wreford-Brown, Newcastle, £100
Netherton Workmen's Social Club Ltd, £1,631
Haltwhistle Young Farmers Club, £150
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Tell us how you are raising money
The Journal is asking readers to get behind our bid to raise money for Josie's fund.
There are two ways you can do your bit to help:
Anyone wishing to sponsor our columnist David Banks in his effort to shed the pounds in aid of the Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund should fill in the form here and return it to The Journal, saying how much money you are pledging.
or:
Let us know what fitness-related fundraising method you have come up with yourself to raise cash for The Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund.
We are urging our readers to come up with fundraising ideas - it could be a sponsored swim, a sponsored football match or even a sponsored bungee jump.
Please contact The Journal newsdesk with information of any events - solo or team - you have arranged to help boost the fund.
Sponsorship forms are available by email or post from The Journal.
Anyone wishing to get involved should contact the newsdesk on (0191) 201-6344 or email jnl.newdesk@ncjmedia.co.uk
You may send cheques payable to The Dove Trust (registered charity 287401) - Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund written on the back - to The Journal, PO Box 1146, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE99 1ET.
