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francis house children’s hospice

Santa pays unseasonable visit to Jimmy Cricket’s Christmas CD recording! 150 150 mhamer

Santa pays unseasonable visit to Jimmy Cricket’s Christmas CD recording!

Jimmy Cricket with Father Christmas and the choir from St Patrick's RC Primary School in Rochdale

Father Christmas made an unseasonable visit in Rochdale recently when he went to see locally based comedian Jimmy Cricket recording songs for his new CD.

Much-loved entertainer Jimmy was in the middle of putting together the first few songs for his Christmas album at  the Gracieland Studio owned by Rochdale-born singer, song-writer and actress Lisa Stansfield.

Helping him with this was the St Patrick’s RC Primary School choir when Father Christmas stopped by with a special treat – a pair of Jimmy’s famous wellington boots!

This was the perfect gift, as the signature track of Jimmy’s Christmas CD is to do with his famous footwear – Santa bring my wellies back to me.

This CD will be released in September for the Christmas 2016 season and all proceeds are going to the Francis House Children’s Hospice in south Manchester.

Jimmy Cricket at the recording of his forthcoming Christmas CD

Jimmy, 70, said: “It was great that Santa took time out from his off-season to pay us all a visit during what was a very festive recording session, albeit in the middle of summer!

“Santa also landed with a pair of my wellies, which fitted the bill well as the title of the CD is just that!

“Also, I must thank the pupils and staff of St Patrick’s Primary School who all sang their socks off for the songs they are involved with in the album. Their enthusiasm and energy really stood out.

“Add in the sheer professionalism from everyone at Gracieland and this all bodes well for a great Christmas product.

“When it goes on sale in September, those who buy it will know they have made a much-needed contribution to such a worthy cause as Francis House.”

Featured in the photos are Jimmy, Father Christmas and members of the St Patrick’s RC Primary School  choir who are: Roisin Hassett, Ruby Loynd, Gaea Aparis, Liberty Reynolds, Jemima Qureshi and Franchezka Barandino.

* Jimmy’s Christmas CD in aid of the Francis House Children’s Hospice will be out from 1 September. It will be priced at £5 and be available for purchase from either the hospice direct or from the online shop at Jimmy’s website, www.jimmycricket.co.uk

Jimmy Cricket with the choir from St Patrick's RC Primary School in Rochdale

Christmas CD to raise money for Francis House 150 150 mhamer

Christmas CD to raise money for Francis House

Jimmy Cricket's Christmas CD will be called Santa bring my wellies back to me

Jimmy Cricket is to produce a Christmas CD in aid of Francis House Children’s Hospice.

It will be entitled Santa bring my wellies back to me, as this will be the signature track on the album.

All the songs have been written by famous entertainer Jimmy and will be recorded at the Gracieland Studio in Rochdale at the beginning of July.

The CD is to cost £5 and will be available from the 1 September, either by contacting Francis House direct or buying online at the shop page on this website through the PayPal facility on offer.

Jimmy, 70, said: “I am delighted I will be able to launch this CD because it has been in the pipeline for several years.

“I am thrilled to once more be raising funds for such a worthy cause. My association with the Francis House Children’s Hospice goes way back and I continue to support this valuable community asset whenever I can.”

Oldham Coliseum show raises £9,000 for Francis House Children’s Hospice 150 150 mhamer

Oldham Coliseum show raises £9,000 for Francis House Children’s Hospice

Jimmy Cricket and fellow performers at the Oldham Coliseum

A sum of about £9,000 was raised from the latest edition of a charity show Jimmy Cricket routinely appears in at the Coliseum Theatre in Oldham.

The 2016 version of the Stars come out for Francis House show was held at the end of March.

Jimmy Cricket with Frank Sinatra tribute Jonathan Swift

It was the sixth occasion the concert has been organised to raise funds for the Francis House Children’s Hospice in south Manchester.

In addition to famous entertainer Jimmy, the show featured his friend Jim Nicholas, who not only acted as the show’s host but also co-produced it.

The two Jims were joined on stage by Frank Sinatra tribute act Jonathan Swift (right), the professional whistler David Morris, the vocal duo Kamika, and 60s legends the Merseybeats, who headlined the show.

A packed auditorium helped to raise the most money in six editions of the show for Francis House.

Chief executive of the charity, David Ireland, thanked everyone who had come along to support the event.

The seventh show is already being planned, again at the Coliseum Theatre, for October 2017.

PLEASE NOTE – A REPRISE OF THIS SHOW WILL BE HOSTED BY THE BRINDLEY THEATRE IN RUNCORN ON SUNDAY 19TH JUNE AS JIMMY WILL ONCE MORE TEAM UP WITH THE MERSEYBEATS FOR AN AFTERNNON OF ROCKING WITH LAUGHTER!!!!

Jimmy Cricket and fellow performers at the Oldham Coliseum

Rossendale Free Press previews charity fun run 150 150 mhamer

Rossendale Free Press previews charity fun run

Jimmy Cricket's forthcoming fun run featured in the Rossendale Free Press

The fun run to mark Jimmy Cricket’s 70th birthday has received more media coverage, with the Rossendale Free Press featuring a story on the special event in its 4 September edition.

It is scheduled for Sunday 18 October and will take place in Whitworth, near to where famous comedian Jimmy lives in Rochdale.The form for Jimmy Cricket's 70th birthday fun run

The course will take in two laps of Cowm Reservoir, which is in the Rossendale Borough district and why the Free Press featured the event. Jimmy himself lives on the border of Rochdale and Rossendale.

Andy O’Sullivan, the race organiser,  and Jimmy will be on hand to start the race and to welcome home not only the victors, but all the runners who participate in the event.

All proceeds from the run will be donated to the Francis House Children’s Hospice in Manchester.

The entry fee to join Jimmy on this fun race is £4 to club runners and £6 to all others. An additional £1 will be charged to entrants who turn up on the day. Prizes will be awarded to all race finishers.

For more information and for a copy of the entry form, please contact Andy O’Sullivan at info@andemsrunners.co.uk

Alternatively, you can download the form above right by clicking on it, so it is on its own page, and then printing out (right click and print, or press “Ctrl” and “P”).

The stars to come out (again) for Francis House 150 150 mhamer

The stars to come out (again) for Francis House

The poster for Stars Come Out for Francis House 6Jimmy Cricket will be back at the Oldham Coliseum Theatre next year to help raise more money for charity.

Due to popular demand, an annual fundraiser in aid of the Francis House Children’s Hospice will once more provide a dazzling array of entertainment for one night only.

Stars Come Out For Francis House 6 on 31 March will again feature the iconic 60s band The Merseybeats, who will rekindle past memories through their hits I Think Of You, Wishin’ & Hopin’, Sorrow and Don’t Turn Around.

Alongside them will be local favourite and famous comedian Jimmy, who continues a long association with the show and will provide a welcome dose of his much-famed daft humour.

Also on the line-up will be husband and wife duo Kimika, who have developed a huge reputation on the UK cruising and holiday circuit. Frank
Sinatra impersonator Jonathan Swift will drop by to offer a bit of crooning.

The show will be hosted again by compere Jim Nicholas.

Join the stars once more as they come out for Francis House and enjoy a
splendid show you won’t find anywhere on television, while raising plenty of money for a very worthy cause.

Fun run poster flags up birthday charity event 150 150 mhamer

Fun run poster flags up birthday charity event

The special poster publicising the charity fun run being organised to mark Jimmy Cricket's 70th birthday in OctoberA special poster has been produced to publicise the 5K charity fun run being organised to mark Jimmy Cricket’s 70th birthday in October.

The event is being arranged in Jimmy’s adopted hometown of Rochdale in Greater Manchester by a seasoned run organiser called Andy O’Sullivan, who is not only associated with the local Rochdale Harriers running club, but who has also been awarded the MBE for all the fundraising he has done over the years.

Famous Northern Irish entertainer Jimmy will turn 70 on 17 October 2015 and his birthday race will take place the following day.

The location of the start will be the Cock & Magpie pub in Whitworth, near Jimmy’s beloved Healey Dell Nature Reserve where he is often spotted walking and taking in the beautiful surroundings.

He will be there in person to start the race off at 11.30am, with the route planned to take in two laps of Cowm Reservoir, ensuring the race will be a true 5K.

Jimmy said:  “A big thank you to Rachel –  one of the charity’s trainee fundraisers – for producing a nice flyer for the event (above right).

“Naturally, I will be on hand to start the race off outside the Cock & Magpie public house and welcome back the winners after two laps of this stunning water feature. I will also hand out the prizes in the Cock & Magpie once all runners are safely back home.”

All proceeds from the fun run will be donated to one of Jimmy’s favourite charities, which is the Francis House Children’s Hospice in Manchester.

The entry fee to join Jimmy on this fun race is £4 to club runners and £6 to all others. An additional £1 will be charged to entrants who turn up on the day. Prizes will be awarded to all race finishers.

For more information and for a copy of the entry form, please contact Andy O’Sullivan at info@andemsrunners.co.uk

Fun run plans get media coverage 150 150 mhamer

Fun run plans get media coverage

Jimmy Cricket's plans for a fun run were featured in the Rochdale Observer newspaper

Jimmy Cricket’s plans to stage a special fun run to mark his 70th birthday have received coverage in his local newspaper.

The Rochdale Observer published the above report and picture on the race, which will take place on 18 October 2015 – the day after the well-known entertainer turns 70.

The Belfast-born comedian was approached by Rochdale-based fundraiser Andy O’Sullivan about the prospect of a birthday race.

Andy has been organising charity runs with the local Rochdale Harriers athletics club for many years.

The location of the start will be the Cock & Magpie pub in Whitworth, near Jimmy’s beloved Healey Dell Nature Reserve where he is often spotted walking and taking in the beautiful surroundings.

All proceeds from the fun run will be donated to one of Jimmy’s favourite charities, which is the Francis House Children’s Hospice in Manchester.

The entry fee to join Jimmy on this fun race is £4 to club runners and £6 to all others. An additional £1 will be charged to entrants who turn up on the day. Prizes will be awarded to all race finishers.

For more information and for a copy of the entry form, please contact Andy O’Sullivan at info@andemsrunners.co.uk