Kath O’Donnell – Woman of Rochdale 2017

Date published: 28 April 2017

Kath O’Donnell was named as the Woman of Rochdale 2017 at a special luncheon at Rochdale Town Hall on Friday (28 April).

Joan Davies, a member of the Woman of Rochdale committee, announced Kath as the winner.

She said: “She has worked tirelessly and always supported those in need.”

Joan went on to say how the winner had begun fundraising after personal tragedy, going on to raise funds with a charity golf day: it was this moment Kath realised she had won, and gasped, burying her face in her hands in disbelief.

Kath said: “I can’t believe it. It’s like a dream; I’m so overwhelmed. Thank you so much.”

The moment Kath realised she had won (photo: Tracy Kilgannon)

Over the last decade, Kath and her husband Andy, have raised over £80,000 towards cancer research. Together with their Yorkshire Terrier, Oscar, they make up The Three Amigos Fundraising Group and are based in Littleborough. They hope to hit the £100,000 mark

Earlier this year, they were presented with an award of acknowledgement from Littleborough Lions for their tireless dedication.

Kath and Andy began raising funds for cancer research after Andy was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2004. Following his successful treatment, they held a charity golf day in June 2006. The trailblazer event day would be the first ‘Tee Off Trophy’, and raised over £2,000.

The Three Amigos were then born and went on to create annual fundraising events centred around the O’Donnell’s hobbies.

Annual events organised by The Three Amigos include: Midgely Moor Fell Race; the ‘Doggy Dash For Life’ (now in its seventh year) around Hollingworth Lake; ‘Hack Off Cancer’ horse ride; ‘Neigh to Cancer’ dressage event and the ‘Tee Off Trophy’ golf day.

Last year in October, Kath painted Littleborough pink for Cancer Awareness Month- and ‘Little Pink Borough’ was born. Shops and businesses across Littleborough took part, dressing their window displays pink and decorating the streets with pink bunting.

Toastmaster was Alan Calow and toasts were given by the Mayor of Whitworth, Madeline De Souza, and staff of Springhill Hospice. A special thanks was given to Annie Moran, who organised the event. Entertainment was provided by Babalola Junior.

Woman of Rochdale 2016, Margaret Hopkinson, spoke about her year as Woman of Rochdale.

She finished by saying: “I wish the Woman of Rochdale 2017 all the best and hope she enjoys her year as much as I have.”

Angela Coric said: “Kath is a very worthy winner and I’d like to congratulate her on behalf of the committee.”

Guest speaker Rachel Agnew spoke about how her life changed for the better following her appearances on Loose Women after she entered a competition. Rachel, a marketing consultant, broadcaster, writer, voiceover artist, speaker and mum, was one of the Loose Women, and has contributed on This Morning, Sky News and BBC Breakfast. In addition, she is often heard discussing many and varied topical issues on The Jeremy Vine Show on BBC Radio 2.

The Luncheon is held annually for Springhill Hospice in celebration of the Women of Rochdale. It honours the woman who, initially through public nominations and then by final analysis by the ‘Women of Rochdale’ Committee, is considered to have contributed the most to the community of Rochdale.