Update on Bolton Sports Federation Ladies’ Rounders League supporting Bolton MRT as their Charity of the year 2011

This evening the BSF Ladies Rounders League held their Annual Presentation Evening at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton. There are 17 different leagues, the winners and runners up for each league received their trophies and medals. The trophy presentations for the various cup competitions also took place. So there was in the region 750 trophies presented during the evening.

Team member and rounders player Diane Blakeley, along with team members Paul Copley and Martin Banks and Martin’s wife Stella attended to represent the team to say thanks for all the fundraising events that have taken place during the last 11 months to raise money for the team. During the night a raffle was held with every rounders team present donating a prize. A total of £490 was raised which will be added to over £3,000 already raised. There was also a competition to win two VIP tickets for X-Factor next Sunday in London and photographs were taken and printed with the money raised again going to the team.

Two people had the pleasure of presenting those 750 trophies. Coronation Street’s David Platt aka Jack P Shepherd, who kindly signed a photograph for the team for our Ladybridge Headquarters. Jack stepped in at the last minute when Chesney had to work late on the Coronation Street set. The other guest was none other than Diane’s idol Bolton Wanderers striker Kevin Davies. He was very much a surprise guest, Diane nearly fell off her chair when she saw him walk in, whilst Paul suggested that maybe there would be a need for our defib as she was so shocked. Much to the pleasure of Diane, Angie who had organised the event arranged for the team members to have a photograph with Kevin and Jack. Once the team photo had been taken Diane without hesitation pushed Paul out of the way to have a picture with Kevin on her own. Well you have to grab your opportunities when they are there as there were hundreds of other women awaiting their chance.

Left to right: Kevin Davies, Diane Blakeley, Paul Copley, Martin Banks, Jack P Shepherd

A big thank you to all those donated raffle prizes, bought raffle tickets, photographs and entered the X Factor competition. Special thanks to Jack and Kevin not just for presenting all the prizes, but for happily signing autographs and smiling for photographs. The hard work of all those who helped to organise the event, decorate the room, organise the trophies, sold raffle tickets, folded up all those raffle tickets, took photographs to raise money etc. Thanks to Dave Jolley (who recently won Bolton’s Unsung Sportshero of the Year Award) for looking after us during the evening. Last but by no means least Angie Hill who yet again fantastically organised and compered another event which has helped to raise money for Bolton Mountain Rescue Team.

Diane with her idol Kevin

Please also see website ’news’ articles dated 13th May, 22nd April, 10th April, 7th February 2011 and 9th November 2010.)