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elvis presley

Elvis impersonator raises £200,000 for Francis House 150 150 mhamer

Elvis impersonator raises £200,000 for Francis House

DJ and Elvis Impersonator Jim Nicholas has raised an incredible £200k over 25 years by collecting at his performances

 

 

 

 

 

 

DJ and Elvis Presley impersonator Jim Nicholas has raised an amazing £200,000 over 25 years for Francis House Children’s Hospice.

Jim, who is a good friend of comedian Jimmy Cricket, has raised the funds by collecting at his performances.

Northern Irish funnyman Jimmy has also brought in a lot of money over the decades for the hospice.

Francis House is based in south Manchester.

Both entertainers feature in the latest edition of the charity’s newsletter (above).

‘Wonderful cause’

Jimmy, 74, tweeted: “Our thanks, (mine and Jim Nicholas), for the lovely article in the@FrancisHouseCH winter newsletter.

“It has been a pleasure working on behalf of your wonderful cause over the years!”

His pal Jim says in the newsletter: “From day one when I first went to Francis House and saw the families, I felt that I wanted to do everything I could for them.

“Without Francis House these families would be stuck.

“If I can entertain people and they enjoy what I’m doing, and if that helps in some small way, I’m happy to do it.”

Jim, who is from Swinton in Salford, Greater Manchester, is also the impresario behind Jimmy’s variety shows for Francis House.

The pair were introduced many years ago by Sister Aloysius and have remained close friends and showbiz partners ever since.

Christmas CD

The Stars Come Out for Francis House charity gala has taken place at the Oldham Coliseum eight times.

In addition, there are plans for an October 2020 performance.

A few years ago, Jimmy hit upon the idea of original Christmas numbers to sell at his shows with profits donated to Francis House.

The CD is Santa bring my wellies back to me.

The name of the CD relates to the theft several years ago of concrete wellington boots (below right).

‘Happy Christmas everyone!’

The late Sir Ken Dodd had given them to Rochdale-based Jimmy.

The wellies were given by Ken Dodd to Jimmy CricketJimmy said: “With Christmas ‘19 beckoning my goal is to reach 2,000 copies and that would mean we’ve raised £10,000 for Francis House.

“A big thank you to those of you who’ve bought one and a Happy Christmas everyone!”

Francis House said: “Help Jimmy reach his goal of selling 2,000 copies to raise £10,000!

“‘Santa Bring My Wellies Back To Me’ can be purchased for £5 plus £1.95 p&p from Francis House by calling 0161 443 2200.

“Or go to www.francishouse.org.uk/getinvolved/shop/online-shop/”

You can also buy the CD here at Jimmy’s own website.

And there’s more… there’s a special Christmas offer on at present from Jimmy!

Christmas jam night in Rochdale with Maureen’s Tappers & ‘Elvis Presley’ 150 150 mhamer

Christmas jam night in Rochdale with Maureen’s Tappers & ‘Elvis Presley’

Great Festive Fun this evening at the, “St Vincent’s Jam Night”, with my fellow act Jim Nicholas and Maureen’s Tappers raising funds for #FrancisHouseCH 

Maureen’s Tappers and an Elvis Presley impersonator were among the acts at Jimmy’s Cricket’s Christmas jam night in Rochdale.

The event, hosted by the famous Northern Irish entertainer and his wife May Marion every couple of months,  takes place in the lounge area of St Vincent’s RC parish centre in his home town of Rochdale.

It started about a decade ago as an opportunity for Jimmy and other performers to try out new routines and is still going strong.

The famous entertainer has nicknamed those who regularly support these evenings as ‘Jimmy’s Jammers’.

At every event,  there is a raffle and the selling of refreshments, with all proceeds donated to a chosen charity.

Francis House Children’s Hospice, which is based in Didsbury, was the beneficiary of the December jam night.

Famous funnyman Jimmy, 73, posted on social media: “Great Festive Fun this evening at the “St Vincent’s Jam Night”, with my fellow act Jim Nicholas [aka Elvis Presley] and Maureen’s Tappers raising funds for #FrancisHouseCH ?”

 

‘Elvis Presley’ performs at special birthday party 150 150 mhamer

‘Elvis Presley’ performs at special birthday party

Great night celebrating Carolyn Topham’s, “Special Birthday”, @TheBrassBandClub Clitheroe with family and friends and with my thanks to fellow act Jim Nicholas for his Elvis impersonation!

Jimmy Cricket teamed up with “Elvis Presley” for a special birthday party in Lancashire recently.

The famous entertainer performed at the Billington & Whalley Brass Band Club in Clitheroe, along with good friend and Elvis impersonator Jim Nicholas.

Jimmy, 72, posted on social media channel Twitter afterwards: “Great night celebrating Carolyn Topham’s “Special Birthday” @TheBrassBandClub Clitheroe with family and friends and with my thanks to fellow act Jim Nicholas for his Elvis impersonation! ?”

* Jimmy’s first play, No more Fiffing and Faffing, is being staged at the Blackburn Empire Theatre tomorrow (Sunday, 16 September) at 7.30pm.

Read more about the play here.

 

Irish-themed show in Ribble Valley village 150 150 mhamer

Irish-themed show in Ribble Valley village

Jimmy Cricket with friends

Jimmy Cricket recently returned to the quaint Ribble Valley village of West Bradford near Clitheroe for another fund-raising event.

The Northern Irish entertainer was last at the Lancashire village’s community hall in 2015 and organiser Michael Fox had hoped to snap up his services again after what was a successful first event.

Jimmy Cricket

As Jimmy had been down to appear in neighbouring towns and villages of the Ribble Valley, Michael has had to wait a couple of years.

Jimmy’s return coincided with this year’s St Patrick’s Day festivities as the show ended up being scheduled for the Friday after 17 March.

It gave Michael and his organising team good cause to make the event into an Irish-themed one, with tricolour flags out in force. Michael even turned up in a green tie (top picture)!

For this second successful appearance, Jimmy was joined by his wife, female vocalist May Marion, and Jim Nicholas of Cliff’s Disco – who dressed up as Elvis Presley for the evening (below).

Jim Nicholas of Cliff’s Disco dressed up as Elvis Presley

Latest Golden Wellie award winner is… 150 150 mhamer

Latest Golden Wellie award winner is…

Jimmy Cricket with Golden Wellie award winner Sarah the postwomanThe latest Golden Wellie award winner is Sarah the postwoman whose round include Jimmy Cricket’s cottage in Rochdale.

Ever since Sarah started to deliver to Jimmy’s house, the well-known comedian has been very impressed with her positive demeanour, cheerful personality and feel-good attitude.

He feels it certainly helps when she is out and about delivering to households and customers.

“She even makes bills more palatable!” joked Jimmy.

The Northern Irishman, who presented the award (above) outside his cottage, wanted to thank Sarah for being such a great advert for the postal service!

How Jimmy celebrated his birthday 150 150 mhamer

How Jimmy celebrated his birthday

Jimmy Cricket, with his birthday cake, Jim Nicholas and the local organising committee for the eventJimmy Cricket celebrated his latest birthday doing exactly what he likes the most – performing at a show for one of his favourite charities.

The famous entertainer took to the stage on Thursday 17 October, at a fundraiser for the Francis House Children’s Hospice at St Joseph’s Parish Centre in Little Hulton, Salford.

Seen above is Jimmy, with his birthday cake, alongside Jim Nicholas – the DJ who is ever present at his Francis House fundraisers and is in his Elvis costume – and surrounded by the local organising committee for this event.

Jimmy said: “I had a tremendous time and what better way to celebrate my birthday than doing the very thing I love the most – performing!”

Starring in a charity gala 150 150 mhamer

Starring in a charity gala

Carnival of Dreams posterJimmy Cricket is among the entertainers appearing in a charity gala in support of Donna’s Dream House at the Grand Theatre in Blackpool.

Carnival of Dreams will also feature Gareth Gates, Denise Nolan, Irish international singing star Rose-Marie, JK as Robbie Williams, International comedy entertainer Kenny Cantor, Aimi MacDonald, Sue Devaney (BBC’s Dinnerladies), International female impersonator Ceri Dupree, Scott Wright (Coronation Street) and the cast of Blackpool’s rock and roller coaster musical Booze Birds & Blackpool Rock, Top UK & World Elvis impersonator Martin Fox, Jamie Pugh from Britain’s Got Talent, Comical singing ventriloquist Kieran Powell, Shani Cantor, Leo Jones Star of TV’s Airline, Scottish Champions Craig Paton on the accordion and Andy Kain on the fiddle, Fylde Scottish Country Dancers, Barry Haywood, Iain Matley, and Blackpool’s very own Funny Girls, Langley Dance Centre, Mary Whelan School of Irish Dancing, Blackpool Circus School and Greater Manchester Pipe Band.

It takes place on Sunday, August 7 – full details in Jimmy’s events calendar and view the full gala poster here.