News
News
92inBlue boys come up trumps!
A little over 50 hours in and look how well its going... you can trace every step of their journey at http://92inblue.blogspot.com
Latics fans’ 92-club road trip for TSJT (Text from link: www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features)
A GROUP of Latics fans are aiming to be record breakers by driving to all 92 football stadiums in the country for charity — in less than three days.
The eight soccer-mad supporters will whizz around England — with a quick trip to South Wales — in two cars in a mammoth race against time, clocking up more than 2,500 miles.
While there is no official record, the team hope to beat a previous group of fastest fans who completed the tour in just over 76 hours — and plan to get the time recorded with the Guinness Book of Records.
They also hope to visit the national stadiums of Wembley and Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.
The intrepid fans set off on Friday, July 17, and are undertaking the adventure for Trust Oldham to raise money for The Samantha Jones Trust and raise awareness of the threat of skin cancer during the summer months.
They will take with them the famous “Ernie Flag” — created in memory of former Latics star Ernie Cooksey who died of malignant melanoma last year.
They hope to raise around £5,000 and also want to buy a memorial bench in tribute to Ernie to put in a scenic spot, and collect a child-friendly souvenir from each club that will be donated to the new children’s hospital in Manchester.
Taking part are Richard Attwood, Stephen Ackroyd, Simon Colebrook, Peter Wright, Mark Scoltock, Tracy Scoulding, Paul Oakes and John Beard.
Mr Attwood (32) said: “I have always fancied visiting all the football grounds and it’s something I have wanted to do for a charity.
“We are trying to do it in two cars so we can have a sleep in the back and we have a back-up support vehicle in case one breaks down.”
When Mr Attwood worked out a route last year he calculated it at 2,457 miles — but since then Torquay have been promoted to the football league, adding another hundred miles.
They plan to criss-cross the country, starting in East Lancashire then up to Carlisle, across to the North-East and down the East coast, back across through Yorkshire and then down through East Anglia to London, along the South coast and back up through Bristol. The exhausting journey will end with Rochdale before returning to Boundary Park.
Mr Attwood. “We’ve got six experienced drivers, and myself and two other lads have driven long distances before in Australia.
“Three days behind the wheel might get a bit tedious but it won’t phase us.”
The group looking for sponsorship as well as fuel cards or donations.
Call Mr Attwood on 07590- 696973 or visit www.justgiving.com/92inblue.
To keep track of 92in Blue check out http://92inblue.blogspot.com
TSJT is proud to announce we have been selected charity of the year by Oldham Athletic Football Club, and as such will be in receipt of regular income from the club lottery.
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION DONATIONS
We have been fortunate enough to have received three annual donations of £1666.68 from the Football Association Charity Shield, following nomination by Oldham Athletic Football Club.
MEETING WITH TONY BLAIR
On 1st February 2005, the parents of Samantha were invited to meet the Prime Minister - Tony Blair at Granada Studios, Manchester.
'The Samantha Jones Trust' was brought to the Prime Ministers attention by Saddleworth MP - Phil Woolas, and we were fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to discuss The Trusts' work and aspirations at a special meeting.
Mr Blair commended us for our work with children and wished us every success in our new projects. Whilst at the studio's, Keith and Lorraine also met the stars of the famous TV Soap Opera - Coronation Street.
'Contact' MAGAZINE
We have already featured in the spring edition of 'Contact' magazine and are looking forward to our feature article in 2006
SUPPORT BY 'The Woman of Oldham Committee'
We have been fortunate enough to gain the support of 'The Woman Of Oldham Committee' who have been involved in fundraising for 'The Samantha Jones Trust' for the past 12 months. They have raised £6500 which was presented to us after their annual ladies luncheon in November 2005.
'NACCPO' MEMBERSHIP
We are now full members of 'NACCPO' (National Alliance Of Children's Cancer Parental Organization)