An Evening With Friends Raises Over £17,000

A CHARITY night in aid of former Bolton Wanderers star Gary Parkinson has raised £17,300.

Friends and family raised money to help fund physiotherapy for Gary, who is receiving around-the-clock care at his Westhoughton home.

The father-of-three was left with locked-in syndrome after suffering a massive stroke at his home in September, 2010.

He spent more than two years at the Priory High Bank Centre in Summerseat, near Ramsbottom, but was able to return home to his wife Deborah and three children Luke, Chloe and Sophie before Christmas last year.

Lisa Forshaw, a family friend, arranged the event, which took place in Dobb Brow Road, Westhoughton.

Former Wanderers manager Owen Coyle attended along with football pundit Iain Dowie and former Wanderers player John McGinlay.

Lisa Forshaw said: “The night was amazing.We raised £17,300 for Gary. What happened to him was an absolute tragedy. He needs a lot of physio to get better and a lot of this money will be used for that. His family are loving having him home. Debbie is just an amazing, positive lady.”

Deborah Parkinson and her eldest two children Luke and Chloe showed their support and were among the 220 people at the event.

Food was provided, free of charge, from Leo’s in Horwich, Casa Nostra in Westhoughton and Mina Khan of Just One Spice Ltd, and the Gary Parkinson Trust would like to thank all those helped out with the catering during the night.