Company director faces
biggest challenge of life
by Gary Skentelbery
COMPANY Director John Duggan faces the biggest challenge of his life when he bids to climb Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest mountain and the highest ‘free standing’ mountain in the World.
John who runs Four Seasons air conditioning in Lymm hopes to raise ?6,000 for Claire House Children’s Hospice.
He had been planning to tackle the mountain in February, but has now postponed the expedition for 12 months while he recovers from a back injury. The challenge will involve trekking for six days at high altitude, covering 50-60 miles, through all of the geographical zones on earth. The trek will start in the lush rain forests of the lower slopes, taking him through increasing amounts of vegetation, finally ending on a barren and windswept ice cap summit at 19,340 ft.
John said: “The expedition will be the most physical and mental challenge I will tackle in my life – taking me through arctic conditions with little oxygen, having to endure sub-zero temperatures of up to -20 degrees at night, and trekking in blisteringly hot temperatures, with little atmosphere to protect me from the sun’s radiation during the day.”
Every single penny John raises will go to Claire House Children’s Hospice – which cares for children 0 – 18 years with life threatening or life limiting conditions, providing respite care for their families from Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man.
Claire House is a registered charity and relies entirely on donations for all its income and running costs. They need to raise ?120,000 every month to keep the doors of the hospice open and a further ?2 million to build, equip and run a new teenager wing for 12 months.
To help raise funds John has set up a website at www.justgiving.com/johnduggan
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor him: Claire House Children’s Hospice will receive the money faster and for UK taxpayers, an extra 28% in tax will be added to the gift at no cost to the donor.
SPARC Awards success
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON charity SPARC held a highly successful awards event and race night at the Tetley Walker Club on Long Lane, raising nearly ?1,000.
A total of seven awards were presented including two to Paul Cunningham, who received the Most Developed Independent Traveller and the Most Progressive SPARC Member. His employers Wilkinson also received the Most Supportive Employer Award.
Claire Peers picked up the Personal Development award, while Derek Prescott received the Achievement in the Workplace Award with Jenny Ward receiving the Most Effective Team Member Award.
SPARC was launched with the help of National Lottery Funding, by founder Mick O’Gorman to provide meaningful employment, for people with learning difficulties.
The Awards were presented by Project Co-ordinator Christine Morris, fellow team members Jim Cannon and Catherine Mannion and SPARC supporters Paul Hafren, Principal of Warrington Collegiate and Chairman of the Governors Colin Daniels.
Modern-day version of
18th century play
STUDENTS of Culcheth College and pupils from the High School staged a modern interpretation of an 18th century play ? The Beggars Opera ? for packed audiences at the High School.
This traditional tale of the rogue Macheath, better known as Mack the Knife, was given a modern facelift by the talented cast.
The students had taken overall responsibility for the production as part of their A Level Studies. It was a challenging play for such young performers but the college students at the helm provided slick direction and turned in memorable performances themselves.
College stars included Sarah McIver who played the long suffering but elegant Mrs Peachum and Liam Winston who played Mr Peachum, the streetwise owner of the Beggars Friend Limited. Karlie Sweetman played their daughter, Polly, with energy and vitality. Ben Stanier was the down-on-his-luck beggar, Filch, who showed some nice comic touches. Alex Ashworth showed good stage presence and portrayed the charismatic Mac the Knife with authority.
Younger members of the cast who provided admirable support included Henry Booth who put in an assured performance as Mac’s right hand man Matt of the Mint.
George Atkinson, who created the colourful character of crook-fingered Jake, endeared himself to the audience with his energy and enthusiasm.
There were more than 50 performers involved in the production and all contributed to an entertaining evening. Choreography was by Liz Rainford, sets were designed by Paul Rainford and the back stage crew was marshalled by teachers Kathryn Butler and Katy Osborne. Wardrobe mistress was Amanda Stevens and make up was by Kath Peet, Chris Burke and Jess Stewart. Sound and lighting crews were managed by Mike Dodsworth and the project was supervised by head of drama Frank Cullen.
Students quiz council
chief on “green” issues
by staff reporter
WORLD Development students at Warrington?s Priestley College were given a great opportunity when Mark Floyd, head of the borough council?s Sustainable Development department arrived on campus to give a talk.
During a seminar Mark spoke at great length about real issues affecting the town and its population including recycling, public transport, energy conservation and education on global warming and associated issues.
His visit coincided with the students’ coursework project, which involved a survey of 170 college peers to ask them whether Warrington Borough Council was doing enough to meet the environmental challenges posed at local level.
During the session Mark was asked a range of searching questions including issues associated with agenda 21 and how the council was planning to rectify problems with the town’s public transport network.
Tutor Gillian Finucane commented: “I really thank Mark for coming onto campus to speak with our students and also for the way he answered their questions. It is great to get support for our projects in this manner from Warrington Borough Council.”
Rugby club wins
?5,000 grant
by staff reporter
AN amateur Rugby League club which lost its clubhouse and most of its equipment has won a grant of nearly ?5,000.
Woolston Rovers ARLFC lost most of its kit and training equipment in the blaze at Bennett?s Recreation Club, Padgate.
The grant came from Sponsorbank.
It will be used to pay for new kits, equipment and coaching courses to expand the club back to the size it was before the fire.
A spokesman said: “SponsorBank have provided us with an incredible amount of support. Without their assistance we would not be in the position that we are now of establishing new teams and trying to rebuild the club to its former glory. I would like to say thank you to them for all their hard work on behalf of our club. I would highly recommend them to other community sports clubs.”
SponsorBank is a national organisation established solely to offer support to grassroots sports clubs.
Charity gets boost
as new store opens
by staff reporter
CHARITY group Warrington Disability Partnership will receive a Christmas cash boost – thanks to the opening of a new Tesco Express store in Warrington.
Victor Pomfrett, trustee and vice chairman joined staff at the new store on Winwick Road, cutting the ribbon to declare the new store officially open.
As part of the opening ceremony, store manager, Joanne Bennett McNally, will be presenting Victor with a cheque for ?500 for the charity.
The new store and petrol station, formerly a BP petrol station on Winwick Road, has been closed since November while conversion works were completed.
Joanne Bennett McNally said: “We are delighted to welcome Vic
tor along to open our new store and are honoured to donate to such a worthy cause as Warrington Disability Partnership who offer essential services to disabled people and their families here in Warrington”.
Warrington Disability Partnership is an independent, user-led charity committed to removing the barriers to social exclusion faced by disabled people and their families.
Rude awakening for
cat that crept into car
by staff report
FIRE crews at Warrington are trying to trace the owner of a black and white cat which lost one of its nine lives at Valley Court, Padgate.
The cat had apparently crept into the engine compartment of a car to keep warm during the night.
But it was still there when the owner started the engine the following morning – and became entangled in the fan belt.
Firefighters were called to the scene to extricate the frightened animal, which did suffer some injuries.
The cat, which appeared well cared for and wore a green collar, was taken to the RSPCA for care.
A Fire Service spokesman said: “Nobody seemed to know whose cat it was so we are hoping someone will report it missing.”
Mother and baby
in fire drama
by staff reporter
A MOTHER and her 18-month-old baby were taken to hospital for a precautionary check after fire caused extensive damage in the living room of a house in Poplars Avenue, Orford, Warrington.
The blaze was caused by plastic toys being left too close to a gas fire.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled the outbreak using a hosereel but considerable damage was caused in the living room. A ventilation unit was used to clear smoke from the property.
A Fire Service spokesman said the fire safety message to be learned from the incident was that fireguards should always be used when children were around.
A foam tender from Warrington Fire Station, together with a crew of two, has been sent to Hemel Hempstead to help in the battle to extinguish the major oil storage depot fire there.
