20-mile walk for Tony Parker raises £1,800

Friends of Tony Parker completed a 20-mile walk from Mayfield Rugby Club in Castleton to the Leigh Miners Rugby Club on Saturday (13 July) to raise money for the former rugby player.

Tony, 54, of Castleton, has aggressive and advanced prostate cancer which has spread to his bones. He has a prognosis of just five years and is due to begin radiotherapy for the incurable disease.

He has previously played for Spotland Rangers, Milnrow, Littleborough, Kirkholt, Mayfield, Rochdale Town, Rochdale Hornets and Whitworth Spartans.

As Tony is too unwell to work, 21 of his rugby friends wanted to help ease the financial burden.

They set off at just after 6am and arrived at the Miners’ ground at around 12.30pm, arriving to rapturous applause from the Miners fans who were at the ground, before watching the Mayfield and Leigh game.

 

 

The total raised from the walk was around £1,800 with more money still coming in.

There was a generous donation from the Leigh Miners Club which was accepted gratefully by Marvin Connolly.

The fundraising doesn't end there though, as there is a massive night of entertainment planned for Saturday 20 July at the Mayfield Club with live music, a DJ, raffles and an auction as they try to raise as much as they can for 'Parky'.

Organiser Warren Coop said: "I go back further than I care to remember with Parky, we have been lifelong friends and played a lot of rugby together.

“Tony was a tough no-nonsense forward and what he lacked in size he more than made up for with power and fitness. He has always had a fantastic attitude to rugby and indeed to life.

“When we heard he was ill, we all got together and decided to do what we could to ease the burden on him and his family.”

The night for Tony at Mayfield starts at 7pm and goes on until late. Entry is via ticket or pay £5 on the door, children go free: 

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/62130/benefit-do-in-aid-of-tony-parker

To donate, please visit:

• www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ian-gilbertson