80s party night in Mandy's memory

Fabulous fundraisers will be turning back the clock to the 80s next month in special memory of Mandy Turner.

For it was exactly 30 years ago this month that the Reporter threw its weight behind one of the biggest, most ambitious fundraising appeals the area had ever seen - all inspired by Mandy’s heartbreaking story.

The 21-year-old from Ashton (pictured) had been given just six months to live after being diagnosed with a rare cancer of the muscles and body tissues.

But when she needed a scan as part of her treatment, she had to be taken by taxi to Manchester University because Tameside Hospital did not have a scanner of its own.

Thus began a £1m appeal to buy a desperately needed CT scanner for Tameside.

Friends and neighbours were so moved by Mandy’s brave fight for life and the need for a scanner locally, that they decided to launch an appeal for the hospital in her name.

Shining star Mandy became the appeal’s driving force and amazingly, the £1 million target was achieved in just months.

Twelve weeks before ‘her’ scanner was to be installed, Mandy attended a press conference where she held the brass plaque that is still on the wall at Tameside Hospital, proudly displaying ‘The Amanda Jane Turner Scanner Suite.’

Mandy sadly passed away on August 22, 1990. It was revealed she went above and beyond her goal, with the final total coming in at an astounding £2.5 million.

The Duchess of Kent opened the scanner that Mandy worked so hard to bring to Tameside Hospital with the suite used for the first time by a 10-year-old girl.

Fast forward three decades and a new scanner is now urgently needed again - and once more we are all proud to be playing a part. 

And that includes Mandy’s family and friends, including her sister Sharon - the aptly named Mandy’s Angels.

In special memory of Mandy - who grew up in the ‘80s - a uniquely themed ‘80s party night is being staged at Denton Labour Club, Ashton Road, Denton, on February 28.

The memorable night will include songs and sounds from special guests vocal entertainer Alisha Mckaye, who will be belting out all the hits from the likes of Yazoo, Blondie, Alison Moyet, Fleetwood Mac and more, who will be performing alongside fabulous DJ Paul Akehurst.

Tickets for the night cost just £10 and there will be raffles, an auction, delicious food and lots, lots more.

The party gets started at 8pm and will go on until the clock strikes 12.

All the money raised in memory of Mandy will go to the new £1m CT scanner appeal.

Tickets are available from head of fundraising for the appeal Angie Wild - just email her at angie.wild@tgh.nhs.uk

• Don’t forget, there are lots of ways to get involved in the scanner appeal.

Plenty of events and fundraisers are already on the cards for the year ahead, but more ideas are always needed to achieve the £1m target.

You can contact Angie Wild with all your fundraising ideas and for support and donate direct at justgiving.com/campaign/tangscanner