A BAND club stalwart has raised around £1,100 after completing a marathon eight-hour sponsored walk to help Dobcross brass bands visit a sacred war shrine.
The sun shone down on John Holden, 58, the dedicated president of Dobcross Silver Band, as he took on the 10mile trek calling at ten clubs across the area.
He set off from Dobcross Band and Social Club at 10am with six companions, passing by Diggle Band Club, Uppermill Conservative Club, Greenfield Conservative Club, Boarshurst Band Club and Saddleworth Cricket Club.
Then, with walkers joining throughout the day, he journeyed to Yorkshire Ward Conservative Club, Mossley Band Club, Lydgate Parish Hall and Delph Band Club before returning to a rapturous reception at Dobcross around 6pm.
And the generous community has backed his mission, pledging more than £500 through sponsorship forms, along with donations from the band’s vice-president and former club president’s daughter.
The money raised will help 60 members of the Dobcross Silver Band and Brass Monkeys fund their visit to the legendary Menin Gate Memorial in August.
At the end of the walk, John, who has been steward at the band club for 31 years, said: “My feet are aching a bit now but I have enjoyed it.
“One or two of the clubs weren’t open but we had a few stops at others. Uppermill Band met us at the cricket club, which was wonderful, and everyone else was also very welcoming.
“As we were passing the Rising Sun on Stockport Road, people realised what we were doing so called us in to stop for a drink and encourage us on.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better day. Overall we’ve raised around £1,100 and that will go a long way so I am very pleased.”
John visited the Menin Gate himself in 2002 when he laid a wreath and so was determined to help the bands achieve their own dream trip to play the Last Post.
He admitted: “We were just talking about it in the club and what we could do to raise money and I decided to do the sponsored walk on the spur of the moment.
“I did one for Mossley FC a couple of years ago when they were raising money for new floodlights so thought I could do something similar.”
Brass Monkeys conductor Phil Cumberworth was one of the walkers who accompanied John from start to finish.
He said: “It’s been a great day but my legs are aching now – we’ve done the beer walk before but that’s only three or four hours!
“There was such a lovely atmosphere at Uppermill and it was so nice of the band to all be there to welcome us.”
Andy Black, Chairman of Dobcross Silver Band, who joined John for part of the walk, added: John really enjoyed the whole day and would do it all again – albeit not for a while!
“That evening he enjoyed a well-earned evening off from his usual bar duties!”
The overall cost of the trip to Belgium is expected to exceed £20,000, with more than £8,000 now raised for which the bands and committee are most grateful.
The next fundraising for the bands’ trip is a Bingo and Gameshow Evening at Dobcross Band and Social Club on Saturday, April 11 at 8pm.
Then on Friday, May 15 there will be a concert from top Bavarian band Jaeger Maestros at the club at 8pm, tickets £8 in advance or £10 on the door.
For tickets or more information please call the club: 01457 873741.
For more information on the bands’ fundraising efforts, contact: Cathy Heaven 07554 116787, Phil Cumberworth 07841 326505 or Andy Black 07799 072459.
You must be logged in to post a comment.