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Couple’s charity event gets a welcome lift

Annette Lord
20/ 6/2008

A GRATEFUL couple is a whole ton nearer to being able to raise cash for a children's charity after having a car donated to the cause.

David and Cathy Beresford organised a 'sponsored car carry' around the centre of Manchester in memory of their four-year-old son Tavis, killed last year by a rare cancer.

Now after an appeal in the Advertiser they have been innundated with offers of support for the event, in aid of the New Children's Hospital Appeal.

Manchester Vehicle Recycling has given David and Cathy, of Edgware Road, Newton Heath, a Peugeot 206, which is now being modified for free by M&G Repair in Monsall.

Another firm has donated paint – an eyecatching pink, Tavis's favourite colour – and the Sterling Centre over 60's club has collected loads of items to be sold or raffled off for the cause.

A bag pack at Asda Eastlands recently also raised £800.

David said: "We have been overwhelmed with the response. It's been fantastic and it's all stemed from the report in the Advertiser.

"It is going to be far bigger than we first anticipated. The amount of people helping out with the cause is amazing and we want to say a big thank you to all of them.

"The car carriers will all have their own personal sponsorship, so hopefully we will raise quite a big amount."

Scaffolding bars will be added to the car, which people will grab hold of to carry the car around the city centre on 28 September – the 18-month anniversary of Tavis's death. Originally the Beresfords planned on three teams of eight, but now hope to stretch that to 12 because of the weight.

The car will then be transported to the bottom of Briscoe Lane for the last leg of the journey to Briscoe Lane school, where Tavis briefly attended and where younger brother Mackenzie is a pupil.

A fundraising fun day with then be held at the school through the afternoon.

Anyone willing to help carry the car or provide raffle prizes can contact David and Cathy on 0161 681 0480.