Cracking line-up for concert as appeal lands festive windfall

Tameside Hospital's £1m Scanner Appeal has been given a huge boost this week with the presentation of a cheque for a whopping £50,000. 

It comes from the hospital’s brilliant League of Friends team who have raised the money from sales from their on-site cafe.

Chief Executive Karen James met Sue Wilson and some of the 50-strong team to thank them in person.

She explained that the appeal fundraising programme has been hit hard by Covid-19 restrictions and so their generous donation was just the tonic. 

“A little while back these wonderful volunteers contributed £20,000 to kickstart the appeal, and here they are again supporting us just when we need it. 

“Through their fundraising efforts, the League of Friends provide much needed equipment and support which benefits both patients and staff, and over the last 52 years they have raised over a whopping £1million! Thank you team. We are so lucky to have you.”

Meanwhile, the line-up for the Christmas concert in support of the Scanner Appeal is almost complete with Jon Courtenay, this year’s winner of Britain’s Got Talent, and who appeared on last night’s Royal Variety Performance on television, leading a stellar cast of singing talent. 

This includes the wonderful Colin Thackery, local singer/songwriter Chloe Jones and a special performance of the single Love at Christmas Time, tipped as a possible  chart-topper. 

The Clinical Coding team from the hospital will be in festive mood and there will be a special showing of the video made to promote the porters’ ‘Full Monty’ calendar.

Likely to melt everyone’s heart is local lad Evan Withington who completes the festive line-up. 

He’s only six-years-old, but when he heard of the concert he told his mum Nikki, Voluntary Services Manager, he wanted to help.

He told her he wanted to ‘help buy a new machine that looks inside people’, and so the CT scanner appeal is just what the doctor ordered. 

Evan sings ‘When Christmas Comes to Town’ from the film The Polar Express. It is his favourite movie, and he watches it all year around.

Hosted by Tameside Radio’s Alex B Cann and Sarah Hall, The Christmas concert premieres on Friday, December 18, at 8pm on YouTube. Put the date in your diary! 

Main image:

BOOST: Karen James, left front, receives the League of Friends cheque for the appeal.