Village event for bombing victims

OVER £3,000 was raised for the victims of the Manchester bombing at an event held at Norden Cricket Club.

The event, dubbed ‘From Norden With Love’, took place on Friday (June 2) to raise cash for the British Red Cross Manchester Bomb Victims Appeal, which was set up following the horrific attack at Manchester Arena that left 22 people dead and 120 injured.

There were DJ sets from Dave Sweetmore, Zak Thompson, Melanie Carter and Oli Makin, who played Manchester music and anthems, and modern poet Pete Wilky also recited some of his poems about Manchester.

There was also a guest appearance from former top cricketer Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flinoff, who met fans and posed for pictures as well as doing a Q&A session.

The event was organ- ised in just four days and sold out completely, with members of the community packing the venue from 7pm onwards.

There was a raffle, with prizes donated by local businesses, and the total raised was £3,357.

Organiser and DJ Dave Sweetmore said: “The terrorist attack at the arena was something we will never forget, and although I’ve been involved with fundraising events over the last couple of weeks in the city centre, I felt that as a Norden resident I wanted to do something in our village.

“I can’t thank the management and staff at Norden Cricket Club enough, their help was invaluable, and all of the local businesses who helped out with raffle prizes. ●●DJ Dave Sweetmore with cricket legend Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff at an event to raise money for the victims of the Manchester bombing

“Also the other DJs and team behind me who made it happen.

“The amount we raised is phenomenal and shows what a great community we have.

“It was a brilliant night with an unbelievable atmosphere – it is a night Norden will never forget, and, most of all, thank you to everyone who came.”