Charity collection beats washout

FC United of Manchester are looking forward to winter clothing from their annual Big Coat Day appeal helping the homeless and needy throughout the North West after thanking fans and the community for their support.

FCUM officials say the collection of warm winter clothing before their Boxing Day Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division derby against Witton Albion is on course to repeat last year's success despite heavy rain forcing the match to be abandoned soon after kick off.

Disappointed fans took away vouchers for the rearranged fixture and can also claim full refunds but the Rebels say the charities' cause wasn't harmed by the abandonment as the collections had started three hours before kick off at noon.

Local celebrities, actors and comedians led by former England and Lancashire cricketer and pundit David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd, pictured, lined up to back efforts at Gigg Lane for charities Mustard Tree and the Boaz Trust.

Witton Albion and a number of local organisations including Salford University, NHS Manchester and the Guinness Housing Trust also support the campaign which last year saw more than 3,000 items weighing more than six tons collected in the Manchester area. Other celebrity backers this year included actors Maxine Peake, John Henshaw, Steve Evets and Julie Hesmondalgh.

FC United General Manager Andy Walsh said the community club was delighted to help the campaign again at such an important time of the year when society’s most vulnerable after often forgotten.

Walsh said: "Last winter, some 5,000 deaths occurred in the North West, many because of lack of heating and warm clothing and I’d like to thank anyone who took their unwanted items of warm clothing to Gigg Lane for collection and distribution to the needy."

FCUM are also celebratibg the success of their annual Christmas prize draw after announcing the winners on Boxing Day. More than £2800 of tickets were sold with one lucky ticket winning a week's luxury break in a villa on Spain’s Costa Bravo. Other prizes included a Bryan Robson shirt and sporting memorabilia.