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charity

Why did Jimmy sleep on park bench? 150 150 mhamer

Why did Jimmy sleep on park bench?

Jimmy Cricket sleeping on park bench to raise awareness about the homelessFamous comedian Jimmy Cricket has been pictured sleeping on a park bench as part of a campaign to raise awareness about homelessness.

The Rochdale-based funnyman wanted to support the local ‘Chill-Out’ campaign in the town.

The Chill-out group has been concerned about cuts by the Labour-led council which would have see emergency bed provision for the homeless cut from about 500 beds to around 160 and plan their own mass ‘sleep-out’ at Rochdale Town Hall.

Those cuts would also see the introduction of a ‘Dial-a-Bed’ policy for those seeking emergency accommodation.

The Chill-Out group is apolitical but has attracted support from politicians of all parties, including Labour, plus others including concerned members of the public and medical staff.

Its protest was set for Tuesday 29 May to coincide with Rochdale Council’s cabinet meeting with the intention to raise the profile of the issue through peaceful action. Supporters of the campaign were due to meet outside the Town Hall and sleep overnight in tents to highlight the plight of the homeless.

Jimmy read an article in the local Rochdale Observer and thought the ‘sleep-out’ was a great idea.

Unfortunately, it clashes with his summer season at Eastbourne, but he still wanted to show his support so he decided to get a photo of himself sleeping on a park bench in the middle of Rochdale Town Centre!

The night before these photos were taken, Rochdale Council made a number of concessions in relationto its homeless policy in response to the ‘Chill-Out’ campaign.

These pictures are now going to be used for a slightly different purpose because instead of raising awareness, they are now going to be used to highlight this change in approach from Rochdale Council.

Jimmy with the two leaders of the Chill-Out campaign - Peter Hinchcliffe and Shirley Kennedy - alongside group member and former Rochdale Cllr, Jean Ashworth

Jimmy with the two leaders of the Chill-Out campaign - Peter Hinchcliffe and Shirley Kennedy - alongside group member and former Rochdale Cllr, Jean Ashworth

Up and running in Eastbourne 150 150 mhamer

Up and running in Eastbourne

Article about Jimmy Cricket from the Eastbourne Herald

Here are two articles marking Jimmy Cricket’s arrival for his summer show in Eastbourne.

The Belfast-born comedian is appearing in a variety show, Sentimental Journey, to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre in Eastbourne, East Sussex, from 1 May to 26 September.

Also appearing are fellow comedians Barry Moon and Mike Lee, world-renowned tribute acts Colin Gold and Tracy Lea – who perform as Billy Fury and Connie Francis respectively – and the Show Time Dancers.

The article above is from the Eastbourne Herald on 27 April and below from the Sussex Express (same date).

Article about Jimmy Cricket from the Sussex Express

Famous singer remembered 150 150 mhamer

Famous singer remembered

Jimmy Cricket and friends at the Mansfield Palace Theatre

Jimmy Cricket has starred in a charity show organised by a society set up in memory of a 1950s singing star.

The Irish entertainer appeared at the Palace Theatre in Mansfield in a matinee performance which also featured his good friend, magician Freddie Wilkinson.

Also on the show, staged by Jeff Kemp and Vernon Brand who are lead members of the David Whitfield Commemorative Society, was an excellent young singer called Rhiannon and the Johnny Pat Band featuring – as well as Johnny – Terry Bell, Garry Gillyatt and Dave Harvey.

David Whitfield magazine

The society has adopted the Marie Curie Cancer Care organisation as its charity for all fund-raising and a collection was taken at the show.

In the photos with Jimmy are Vernon, Jeff, Betty and Helen.

Hull-born David Whitfield began his singing career in the city’s working men’s clubs after being de-mobbed from the Royal Navy in 1950 and found fame after taking part in talent programme, Opportunity Knocks, on Radio Luxembourg.

He had a number of songs that topped the charts in the UK and US, including Answer Me, I Believe and Cara Mia.

Whitfield, whose label was Decca Records, was the first male singer to receive a gold disc for one million record sales and the first British artist to enter the US top 10 chart.

The singer died in 1980 at the age of 53, while touring in Australia.

Jimmy Cricket and friends at the Mansfield Palace Theatre

Arr, Jim lad! 150 150 mhamer

Arr, Jim lad!
Jimmy Cricket with the parrot

Jimmy Cricket agreed to be pictured with the parrot in aid of charity

Jimmy Cricket has had thousands of photographs taken of him as an entertainer over the years – but probably not many with a parrot on his shoulder!

The famous Irish comedian was asked to pose for a picture with Gizmoo the parrot as part of an idea to raise money for a special charitable cause.

Moments later he went on stage at the Palace Theatre in Mansfield.

Photographing Gizmoo with celebrities is a fundraising concept by Jane Beresford – who took the photo above – on behalf of a baby who was seriously ill at birth.

Ten-month-old Amelia Rose Sutton was born four weeks premature with severe brain damage after lying on the umbilical cord while in the womb, causing a condition known as Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) when the brain does not receive enough oxygen.

After spending seven weeks in neonatal intensive care, Amelia was allowed home, but has since been in and out of hospital.

She requires 24-hour care, which is currently provided solely by her parents, Adrian Sutton and Louise Toplis, and needs regular physio to help her limbs more freely and assist her posture.

Her parents, who live in Derbyshire, have set up the Help Amelia Rose Trust (HART) to raise money for extra physio sessions and a room equipped with sensory lights which will help her quality of life and general development.

For details of how to donate to HART call 01159 446165 or visit www.helpamelia.org

Grand National dinner with the Lions 150 150 mhamer

Grand National dinner with the Lions
Jimmy Cricket and Tim Vaughan were special guests at the celebration evening

Jimmy Cricket and Tim Vaughan were special guests at the celebration evening

An Irish comedian and a horse racing trainer were, fittingly, the special guests at a sportsman’s dinner in Liverpool during Grand National week.

Funnyman Jimmy Cricket and Tim Vaughan, a National Hunt trainer, appeared at the annual fundraising event hosted by the City of Liverpool Lions Club.

This year the dinner was staged at the Holiday Inn in Liverpool.

Jimmy says: “The organiser was Dave Scott and it was a very professionally run event which raised bundles of money for the Lions’ charitable causes they support.

“During the dinner Tim, an up-and-coming trainer on the National Hunt scene, mentioned that he was aiming for his 100th winner of the season.

“He did provide a tip to the assembled guests at the dinner. This referred to one of the horses which he trains. The tip was for the first race the next day at Newton Abbot and although the horse, Wicklewood, started as one of the favourites, unfortunately it trailed in sixth!”

The City of Liverpool Lions organised the fund-raising event

However, there was a happy ending for Vaughan whose Pant Wilkin stables are based in Aberthin, Cowbridge, South Wales – Saint Are won at Aintree’s Grand National meeting for the second year in a row to give him his 100th winner.

The City of Liverpool Lions Club, which is celebrating its Golden Jubilee during the 2011-2012 year, organise a series of fundraising projects each year which enables its members to make welcome donations to various charities and other worthwhile causes.

Night out with Ricky Tomlinson 150 150 mhamer

Night out with Ricky Tomlinson
Happy days... From left: Con, Ricky, Lauren, Maria and Jimmy

Happy days... From left: Con, Ricky, Lauren, Maria and Jimmy

Jimmy Cricket appeared at The Greenroom in Liverpool city centre as part of a St Patrick’s Day extravaganza on eve of the big day itself (16 March).

Ricky, Lauren and Jimmy

Ricky, Lauren and Jimmy

Also featured on this Irish-themed night of fun and frivolity was Con Cluskey from The Bachelors.

The Greenroom club on Duke Street is partly owned by famous comedian and actor Ricky Tomlinson.

Along with Jimmy, Ricky and Con on these pictures is Maria and her daughter Lauren – Maria and Jimmy share a good friend in John McArthy who was also at The Greenroom with his wife, Betty and daughter Erika.

Maria’s husband, Phil, is a DJ who goes around raising money for the local Liverpool Flame group which John McArthy helps to organise. The Flame Group sends disabled people over to Lourdes for Easter week from the Merseyside region.

Ricky, Maria and Jimmy

Ricky, Maria and Jimmy


Lauren and Jimmy

Lauren and Jimmy


Ricky with Lauren and Jimmy

Ricky with Lauren and Jimmy

Jimmy opens theatre charity shop 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy opens theatre charity shop
Jimmy cuts the ribbons to open the new theatre charity shop

Jimmy cuts the ribbons to open the new theatre charity shop

Jimmy Cricket has had the honour of officially opening a theatre’s new charity shop.

The Irish funnyman is a patron of the West Cliff Theatre in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, along with fellow comedian Roy Hudd.

Jimmy has a soft spot for the venue, having done a couple of summer seasons there in the last five years, and so put on a show there recently as a fundraiser.

The newspaper article about Jimmy Cricket

The newspaper article about Jimmy Cricket

The theatre has lately had its council grant withdrawn, but benefited by approximately £1,000 from Jimmy’s show.

Jimmy said: “This was not the end of the story though.

“West Cliff Theatre decided to open a second-hand charity shop as part of its fundraising drive, along the lines of the usual ones associated with British Heart Foundation, Scope et al – there are a fair few of these in Rochdale.

“So I marked my latest visit to the town with a double strike: not just the show, but I was invited to officially open the theatre’s new charity shop. I duly performed the honours during the lunch hour and then performed at the theatre in the evening!

“Hopefully, my contribution to the two events will have helped in some small way to keeping the theatre going.”

Jimmy added: “I would like to pay tribute to the outgoing theatre manager, Mike Bareham, for all his hard work over the years. His commitment and dedication to the theatre have been magnificent.

Jimmy with Jennifer who posted the newspaper article on Facebook

Jimmy with Jennifer who posted the newspaper article on Facebook

“The new theatre manager is Andy Jeffrey who I have known for quite some time.

Jimmy with fans Erika and Anna in Clacton-on-Sea

Jimmy with fans Erika and Anna in Clacton-on-Sea

“This is because Andy worked at the Weston-super-Mare Playhouse when I did their pantomime a few years ago. Andy is about to take over the reins very shortly and this is an exciting new chapter for the theatre.

“He is steeped in theatrical know-how and already has some fresh ideas and new thinking as the theatre enters a phase where it will have to be more self-reliant in the future.”