Sportsmans Dinner

Monday the 11th of April 2005

At the Broadfield Hotel

Sparrow Hill

Rochdale

Guest Speaker -Steve Kindon ex Burnley & Wolves

FORMER top-flight professional footballer Steve Kindon helped a Rochdale-based charity raised around £2,300 for its fight against childhood cancer.
The Robyn Brooks Trust sportsman’s dinner was a great success with more than 110 guests enjoying a terrific night at the Broadfield Hotel.

Mr Kindon, who enjoyed a lengthy career with Burnley, Wolves and Huddersfield, entertained his audience with tales of his career, including his bone-crunching first encounter with Liverpool hardman Tommy Smith.
He also brought an auction prize of a golden 1950s-style boot which raised £400, £100 of which went to a cot death charity that Steve supports.
Comedian Venn Tracey showed off his comic skills with some great gags which had many crying with laughter, while master of ceremonies Malcolm Lord was equally funny with his jokes.
An auction, raffle, and other fun and games boosted the total raised on the night, with many Rochdale businesses buying tables donating prizes including John Peers Hair Studio and Dave Dearden of H. Robinson’s Motorcycles.
Mr Dearden’s guests included several members of the Robinson’s sponsored team taking part in the British Supermoto championships.

People travelled from far and wide to come to the event with trustee Keith Huddart bringing group over from Renault Liverpool. Others who came from closer to home include Rochdale firms Arc Engineering, Elton Garage, and I J Kendrick.
The Robyn Brooks Appeal was originally formed to raise money for Rochdale girl Robyn to have treatment for neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer, in the United States. Robyn passed away in March 2004 but the charity is continuing to raise money to help other children and families.
Other prizes that were up for grabs included two tickets for the Ashes test at Old Trafford and a signed Manchester United football and Burnley shirt.
Brian Brooks, trust manager, said: “We’re very grateful to everyone who came and our sponsors who supported us so generously as well as the companies who gave us raffle prizes.

It was a tremendous night and everyone enjoyed themselves as Steve, Venn and Malcolm gave us tremendous entertainment.
.“We’re planning to have another sportsman’s dinner next year so we hope to see everyone again. We’re also very grateful to Bert Clegg of Milton Football Club for his help in organising the event and the staff at the Broadfield for their hard work on the night.”

Photos of the event to follow..

MC - Malcolm Lord

Rochdale Observer story 04-03-2005