This year would have been my Grandads 100th year.  Had he still been with us he wouldn't have wanted any fuss and would have preferred a donation to the hospice to any gifts.  Therefore I wanted to do a fitting fundraiser, in tribute to an amazing man.

My Grandad, was born in Wigan in 1921. In his 20s, jobs were scarce in Wigan and so he rode to Wolverhampton with his brother on a tandem hoping to find work.  He was sold this tandem being told it could do 60mph and they would be there in no time.  Needless to say that was not the case and on securing a job for himself, his brother and his father (who had not made the trip) they had to get home to tell them the good news.  They couldn't face the return leg though so gave the tandem bike to a lorry driver in exchange for a lift back home.

The family relocated to Wolverhampton and he met my Grandma there as well as finding another love...Wolverhampton Wanderers.  He watched them often with his brother whilst living there, and still followed them watching them on TV whenever he could.

After securing a job with Craddocks shoes (who were taken over by Clarks) he relocated briefly to Stoke before moving to Rochdale, bringing my Grandma, my Dad and Uncle, where he managed the Clarks store for years. 

My Grandad was extremely proud to be from Wigan and always spoke with passion about his upbringing in Orrell, reminiscing about his childhood around there and Upholland.  He followed Wigan rugby, a passion he passed on to me and something we watched together for the rest of his life.  

He was proud of his work and the career he had with Clarks and enjoyed his life in Rochdale.  I was always blown away (though not surprised) by the number of people who knew him and the respect always shown to him.  He certainly earnt that. 

I thought it would be a fitting tribute to emulate his ride from Wigan to Wolverhampton (or the other way around - I have not decided the logistics yet) in summer this year, going from the ground of Wigan Rugby League to the Molineux, home of the Wolves, in order to raise vital funds for Springhill Hospice who provide care & support to people with a life limiting illness & their families. 

Charities such as Springhill have suffered greatly due to the covid-19 pandemic, due to not being able to open their shops to raise vital funds, but also because organised events where people often fundraise have been cancelled due to large numbers of participants. If you can help this wonderful charity by donating any amount, you will be making an incredible difference supporting them to provide the best end of life care and support for local people and their families.

I know that he would be proud and grateful for each and every donation made in his memory.

Thank you. Tim Xx