Memorial Ball Report

POP STARS Atomic Kitten were among those who paid tribute to Robyn’s bravery as the fundraising began in earnest to help other children who suffer from cancer.

Robyn died in March aged just eight years old of Neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer which only 80 children in Great Britain are diagnosed with each year. Her family are continuing the Robyn Brooks Trust, originally set up to raise money for her treatment in the United States, to help other young cancer sufferers.

The first major fundraiser was the Robyn Brooks Memorial Ball at Rochdale Town Hall and many people who became friends with Robyn during her fight for life came along.

Jenny Frost and Liz McLarnon from Atomic Kitten, who donated thousands to the trust during Robyn's fight for life, came along and Jenny said she wants to be a patron of the trust.

Many members of Gareth Gates’ family also came along as part of an entourage of about 20 people from Bradford. Also among the guests were Lord Nicholas Speakman and Lady Eva Speakman More than £5,000 was raised on the night.

The ball was compared by Andy Hargreaves, aka 'Big H', who did a great job throughout the evening.

Birch Radio members John Groves, Martin Culshaw and Jonathan Clegg ran the technical side of things with lighting and sound equipment kindly leant to the trust free of charge for the ball by Northern Stage, based in Shaw, and projection equipment provided by Keytech of Altrincham.

The fashion show was choreographed by the Keara J Johnson School of Dance, and Rochdale hair stylist Jamilla Paul and her staff kindly gave up their time to do the hairstyles for the show.

Wardle Anderson Brass Band played several tunes for the crowd.

Then comedian Jimmy Cricket told Robyn’s story in s short film about Robyn's life which earned a standing ovation from the crowd.

Another comedian Dudley Doolittle was guest auctioneer and there were some top prizes on offer including a framed, signed Atomic Kitten poster and CD donated by The Ambassadors Tribute to Legends band. There was also a painting donated by Littleborough artist Walter Kershaw, and a limited edition photograph by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York.

The Ambassadors rounded off the night with a fantastic set of hits and film music including the ‘Blues Brothers’, ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ and ‘Grease’.

John Groves of Birch Radio is also manager for the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre in Rochdale and along with fellow staff member Jayne Kawabata and Margaret Cigna from Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre did most of the organising for the event.

Town Centre manager Debbie O'Brien and her assistant Sharon Lamb also helped out. Debbie earned her reward by winning a holiday donated by Airtours. Companies who supported the ball by buying tables: Robinson’s car dealers, Water Street, Rochdale,Andron cleaning company Aberdeen, New Look fashion store, Wild’s Leisure Group, Oldham.

Garry Brooks, Robyn's father, said: “Making a speech at the ball was hard because it was the first time I had ever spoken in public without Robyn. But it was a fantastic night and I'm extremely grateful to everyone who worked so hard to organise the event.

This has given us a great platform to move forward as a charity. I want the Robyn Brooks Trust to be the biggest charity in the world as a tribute to my daughter and I hope people will continue to support us as they have in the past.”

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