People rally round in bid to raise £10,000 support
THE Valley community has rallied around to help support the family of Natalie Doherty.
Her six-year-old son Bobby plays for Rossendale Valley Junior Football Club under 7s Pumas and his friends and team mates are eager to support him and have set up a Go Fund me page.
Lee Gueller, director of Red Rocket Couriers and whose son is Bobby’s friend and is in the same team, is also aiming to raise £10,000.
He and Rossendale Valley JFC’s Cathy Cowley came up with the idea that they are going to do a sponsored walk from Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium to Liverpool’s Anfield on Sunday, May 16.
The locations have special significance.
Lee said: “As I sponsor the team I speak a lot to the parents and Bobby comes in a full Liverpool kit. Me being a United fan me and his mum used to have a lot of jokes about that; she was absolutely lovely.
“When I heard the news on Saturday I couldn’t quite believe it. Since then my mind had been working over time to try and think what can be done to help. That’s when I got together with Cathy Cowley and decided to set a target of £5k but we now want to up that to £10k to get Bobby as much money as we can.
“We picked Old Trafford and Anfield in honour of it being Bobby’s and Natalie’s football team and honour the banter we used to have about our two teams.”
The pair will be setting off from Sir Matt Busby Way at 6am on the 31-mile trek to Anfield Stadium which should take approximately 11-12 hours. To donate, visit gofundme.com and search for ‘Anfield to Old Trafford Charity Walk’.
Natalie attended a local gym where she was a well-loved member. The gym, which asked to remain anonymous, have also vowed to help Bobby and her family.
For the next three weeks all the money for protein shakes, pre workouts, energy drinks and water that is taken will be passed on to Natalie’s family. It will be doing a raffle for a year’s membership and will kickstart the fund with £500.
A spokesperson for the gym said: “Natalie was a well known and wonderful young woman. Most of my members knew her and her partner so we are just trying to help her family and loved ones and her young son Bobby.”
WHAT you’ve been saying on our Facebook page:
● HEARTBREAK as mum dies in M66 crash
James Oxford: The M66 is awful for standing water! There’s far too many crashes on it. Such a shame!
Nathan McLean: Such a tragic story, and one which I can relate to, I can fully empathise with the family and friends that she has left behind - the person I most feel sorry for is her son.
Ian McCarthy: The standing water on the M66 has been a problem for years, which the Highways Agency seem very reluctant to address.
It is so sad it has come to this.
Lorna Holt: Heartbreaking for all her family and loved ones Jack Merlo: Very sad. Between there being no lights on this section of the motorway and the standing water whenever there’s a bit of rain, I hate using this stretch in all but the best driving conditions.
Dave Haworth: Just terrible news a young mum gone. R.I.P
Balbir Johal: My sincerest condolences to the family... am very sorry for your loss RIP x Paula Colleen Crossley: Caught in the aftermath of this on Saturday, poor girl. I had an issue with it myself only a few minutes earlier and nearly lost control. I hope someone does something about this problem and she hasn’t died in vain x
● SUDDEN death of ex market trader Andrew Allan (May 7):
Nicola Johns: Very sad news. He was a lovely man. Thoughts with all the family
Dale Connearn: RIP Andrew, what an amazing and wonderful man. I bought all my records from him on Bacup Market and saw him most days out on his bike. Always remember his Reliant Robin too. Very sad to hear such tragic news, he will be missed
Ste Wingate: RIP Andy great bloke, used to order records off him in the 80s.
Alison Jackson: R. I. P Andrew, what a lovely man he was - thinking of his family at this sad time x
June Mottershead: I worked with Andrew for many years in Rochdale. He was a lovely man and a true Gent. Condolences to June and family on your sad loss. X
Tanya Taylor: What a shame I remember Andy as i was growing up we lived at Zion Street and Andy and June lived next door on Hannah Street. R. i. P sorry for the family x
Vicky Southern:
Andrew and June have been neighbours of ours for over 25 years. Lovely couple. Will always remember his Reliant Robins. Best wishes to the family.
Maxine Leyland: So very sad. A true gentleman. Condolences to June and family x