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Ken uses his birthday to keep appeal soaring

6/ 3/2008

AN ACCRINGTON man has donated almost £700 to our Pals Chapel appeal after asking for donations instead of birthday presents.

Financial administrator Ken Sharples, of Hatfield Road, held a 60th birthday party for more than 150 family and friends at Sydney Street Working Men’s Club on Saturday.

The invitations he had sent out read: "No need to bring a gift, how about giving Accy Pals a lift? No matter how big or small, your help will keep the Aspire tall."

Ken, who was a pupil at St John’s Primary School and a member of St John’s Scouts, works at Haworth’s Financial Services.

He said: "I decided to donate the money to the Pals appeal because I think it’s a really good cause. It is part of the heritage of Accrington and this was my chance to give something back."

Ken’s generous donation takes the Aspire appeal to £26,670, now well past half-way to our £50,000 target.

Our aim is to save the Pals Chapel, housed in beautiful and historic St John’s Church, which has had to close for urgently-needed repairs.

The £50,000 would enable it to re-open while further funding is sought from organisations including English Heritage.

We are appealing to our readers to send donations to our offices or to organise fund-raising events to help the cause.

This week’s other donations are £25 from Gerard Parke-Hatton, whose late father’s brother, John Edward, was killed in Belgium on 18 October 1918 at the age of 17, and £20 from D J Honeyman.

The church received a donation of £75 from its Wednesday morning "service" club and £96 in other donations.

Pens and pencils costing £1 are available from both our offices and the church.