Over £5,000 raised for RSH cancer unit
Graham Hawkins has outlined his delight after a charity sports dinner held at the Greenhous Meadow raised more than £5,000 in support of the new cancer unit at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.
The former Shrewsbury Town assistant manager was diagnosed with cancer three years ago and is now keen to raise funds as a thank you for the treatment he has received.
The centre piece of his fund raising campaign, it was decided, would be two dinners, one at the Greenhous Meadow last Thursday, the other at Wolverhampton Wanderers on October 11.
Graham had a sucessful spell in charge at Molineux after leaving Shrewsbury and led the club into the old first division during his first season at the helm.
Graham spoke at last Thursday's dinner and also roped in Town manager Graham Turner for a spot of after dinner speaking while there was also an appearance from comedian Ian 'Sludge' Lees.
Graham said he was pleased to attract more than 160 people to the dinner and admitted the amount raised from the Greenhous Meadow dinner exceeded his expectations.
"A lot of people helped make it a great night and the support I received from Shrewsbury Town was tremendous and much appreciated.
"We're now going to sit down and decide what to buy first to help make the life of patients in hospital a little more comfortable."
Graham Turner proved an engaging and humorous speaker, with Graham Hawkins delighted to have persuaded him to share some stories from his many years in the game.
He added: "My last words to Graham on the night were 'don't you ever tell me you can't speak'. He was very good and funny as well."
PICTURED: From left are Graham Turner, Mrs Ann Turner, Mrs Jane Hawkins and Graham Hawkins at the Greenhous Meadow charity dinner. Picture courtesy of the Shropshire Star.