Cabaret means Anthony gets his wheels (From Malvern Gazette)

Cabaret means Anthony gets his wheels

1:00pm Monday 25th February 2013 in News

A SPECIAL fund-raising evening held by a social club to help pay for an electric wheelchair for one of its regulars was an overwhelming success.

The cabaret night at the Newtown Club, Link Top, Malvern, exceeded expectations when it raised more than enough money to buy the wheelchair for Anthony Ford.

Mr Ford visits the club regularly with his mother Barbara.

The 52-year-old has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair.

He has an electric wheelchair at his day centre, Malvern SEC, but this is specially adapted for the centre and cannot be used at his home.

Mrs Ford, aged 81, of Orford Way, said: “It was a really good evening and everyone enjoyed the entertainment.

“The wheelchair is on order now and we are looking forward to getting it.”

The evening featured entertainers the Two Tommies, who pay tribute to Tom Jones and Tommy Cooper. The duo brought three surprise guests along, an Elvis tribute act, a female solo singer and singing group Legends, all of whom performed free of charge.

Bill Stowe, the club’s entertainments secretary, said: “Anthony and Barbara are very popular members, and we were all glad to be able to help them.

“It was a great evening, the entertainment was really good and we raised enough money through the raffle and on the night to purchase the wheelchair straight away.”

The evening raised £1,004, and the wheelchair costs £948.

The wheelchair will be presented to Mr Ford at the club on Saturday, March 16. Money left over from the evening will go towards the club’s next charitable endeavour, which is likely to be in support of a services charity.