Father’s thanks for support
A DEVOTED father raised £650 for his community as a thank you to those who have supported him since his daughter received horrific injuries after being hit by a train.
Paul Owen recently organised an entertainment evening at the Gwalchmai Hotel and has split the proceeds between three local causes.
Paul’s daughter Kirsty was badly hurt after being clipped by a train after she stepped onto the track to collect her bag at Llanfairpwll station over two years ago.
She has since needed extensive treatment at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire in Stoke-on-Trent, but continues to make ‘slow but good progress’ from her injuries, says dad Paul.
Manager of Gwalchmai Football Club Paul, 44, said the Owen family has received such fantastic support from the village since the accident, he wanted to do something to repay the locals.
He organised a night of entertainment with singer and DJ Geoff Cottom at the Gwalchmai Hotel and from staging a raffle on the night collected almost £650.
Paul has decided to split the money between the Clwb Meithin/After School Club, the children’s play area in the village and Tro Da, which will help the pensioners of Gwalchmai have a Christmas dinner.
“Can I thank everyone who came to my night with Geoff Cottom,” said Paul. “It was brilliant that we managed to raise £648.
“Geoff is an amazing singer, entertainer and also a good DJ. I met him through a mate and asked if he would be willing to come down to Anglesey to do a show. He’d never been to our special island before and loved it.
“He’s coming back on November 28 to do another night for the football club.
“This was the first entertainment evening I’ve organised, but I want to do more. I wanted to give something back to the village to thank them for what they have done for me since Kirsty had her accident.”
Paul added that Kirsty needs three more operations, after which the family hopes she will be able to live as normal a life as possible.
“Once her operations are finished, I’m planning an even bigger fundraiser for Ysbyty Gwynedd and the hospital in Stoke,” he said.