Altrincham pub boosts hospice (From Messenger Newspapers)

Trafford pub helps Altrincham FC fan boost hospice

2:00pm Thursday 7th March 2013 in News

PUB regulars have helped Altrincham Football Club’s biggest fan – Kenny Palin – raise £250 for a hospice, which cares for people suffering from life limiting illnesses.

Crusading Kenny, 67, who recently recovered from cancer of the gullet, featured in the December issue of the club, known as the Robins.

Then Kenny autographed it and asked customers at Altrincham’s Bricklayer’s Arms, for donations for St. Ann’s Hospice.

He promised the person who made the biggest donation would be able to keep the programme.

The joint winners were landlord Phil Harris, 46, and his manageress, Stef Lomax, who stumped up £50 between them.

“Now I am going to have it framed and put it up behind the bar in honour of Kenny,” said father-of-two Phil, whose younger brother, David, 43,and their mum, 73-year-old Mrs Joyce Harris, are both recovering from the illness.

“Kenny is a great guy and very popular with my customers and I knew they wouldn’t let me down.”

To help boost donations, Steve placed a swear box in the pub and that raised £50, bringing the total to the £250.

Kenny said: “I’m thrilled by the generosity of my pals at the Brickies. I owe a big thankyou to Phil, Stef and everyone else who dug into their pockets for a worthwhile cause.”

Katrina Bury, fundraising manager of St. Ann’s Hospice, said: “We are so grateful to everyone who so generously contributed to raising this money, especially the Bricklayer’s Arms, and Kenny for coming up with the idea.

“This money will really help the people we care for.”