On Saturday 3rd March over 200 fundraisers zoomed along the 190m wire from the Stretford End across the stadium, in order to raise money for Francis House in Didsbury.  Participants included Chris Gascoigne who plays Peter Barlow in Coronation Street and former Manchester United player Andy Ritchie, who commented on the experience, “It was great, really good fun; I’ve been on the pitch at Old Trafford but never flown above it before!  Plus it’s for a really important cause, everyone can get involved and this is obviously a great venue in which to do it.”

Sunday saw the turn of supporters of The Christie, including Emmerdale stars Chris Bisson, Danny Miller and Kirsty-Leigh Porter and Corrie’s Ryan Thomas who is a patron of the leading cancer charity:

“My mum worked at The Christie for about 25 years and I do a lot of voluntary work there.  It’s very close to me as I’ve had a lot of family members treated there – I couldn’t be involved with a better charity.  Being in our position is a great way to create awareness and it’s very important to me to do things like this to raise money.”

Volunteering at the event on Sunday was 26-year-old Andy Smith from Stockport who is a former patient of The Christie.  He was diagnosed with testicular cancer in June 2011 and following successful treatment is currently in remission: 

“Helping out today and taking part in the zip slide starts a year of fundraising for me to give back to The Christie for everything they have done for me.  Even though I’ve gone through a major operation and intensive chemotherapy I always had a good spirit and belief in The Christie.  I thankfully received the good news in October so now my fiancée and I are doing everything we can to give something back as they basically saved my life.”

For more information about the Club’s partnership with Francis House and The Christie visit our Charity Partners pages.

Photographs supplied by Pellier Noir: www.pelliernoir.com