Stars join in fun at charity day
JON MACPHERSON
HOLLYOAKS and Coronation Street stars were special guests at a fun day in Accrington in aid of World Down Syndrome Day.
Eva Lorente, from Oswaldtwistle, who plays Minnie Blake on Hollyoaks, was joined by her on-screen mum Nikki Sanderson and Brooke Malonie, who plays Lily Platt on Coronation Street.
Brooke’s dad Matt Malonie was also one of six men who bravely shaved their arms, legs, chests and beards at Mount Carmel High School’s fun day.
He was joined by Accrington Lions president Gary Gaynor, members Jeff Cleary and Simon Kelly, and friends of the Lions including Matty Gaynor and Chris Szylar.
There were also more than 60 stalls, entertainment and a visit from Hyndburn Mayor Tim O’Kane, Carnival Queen Bethany Donohue and princess Ellie Walsh.
The fun day was attended by hundreds of people and co-organised by Caz Moreton of the Accrington Lions, who is also Eva’s great-aunt.
Caz said: “It went really well. We had a lot more space so we went from having 15 stalls last year to 60 this year.
“Nikki always brings a crowd in and is happy to walk around and sign autographs and have pictures for donations.
“We were supposed to have (Hollyoaks actor) Jimmy Essex too as well but unfortunately he found out on Tuesday that he had to work in London so he couldn’t make it.”
Caz said they have raised more than £1,800 and are now aiming to buy enough copies of the children’s book ‘My Friend Has Down’s Syndrome’ for every primary school in Hyndburn.
Pupils and staff from Mount Carmel also held an ‘Odd Socks Day’ and collected around £60 for World Down Syndrome Day which will be donated to the Accrington Lions fundraising campaign.