TWO NEWLY-TRAINED community angels have saved a valued Saddleworth annual event from being cancelled.
Yorkshire Day is traditionally celebrated on the nearest Sunday to August 1 but was in jeopardy this year after organisers could not find first aid cover for the event on July 31.
But Tesco, Greenfield offered up Greg Barratt and Christine Halliwell, who are both newly qualified first aiders, to ensure the event can go ahead.
Greg, 42, who lives in Greenfield, said: “The Yorkshire Day organisers came to us in desperation.
“They said Sunday’s event would have to be cancelled because, unless they had two first aiders, it would not be able to go ahead.
“Sadly, no one could commit to covering the celebration but Christine and I stepped in. We were pleased to help.”
Christine, 29, from Stalybridge, added: “We couldn’t leave them stranded. We’re both glad to be of service to the community.”
Brenda Cockayne, a committee member of the Yorkshire Day group, said: “We really were desperate. The outlook was bleak. It’s a terrific gesture by Gregg, Christine and Tesco.”
Geoff Bayley, chair of Saddleworth White Rose Society, added: “It was a lovely gesture by Tesco and the first aiders and shows real community spirit.”
The event will begin around 11am with Delph Band, playing in the Museum Gardens, Uppermill, followed by speeches and the reading of the Yorkshire Declaration at 11.41am.
There will be a parade along High Street led by the band to King George V playing fields for the Country Fair.
The celebration will be attended by Cllr Pam Byrne, chair of Saddleworth Parish Council and other dignitaries.
