Man of Rochdale 2023: Wesley Dowd

Wesley Dowd has been named as this year’s Man of Rochdale at the annual Springhill Hospice Man of Rochdale luncheon (Friday 24 November).

Mr Dowd was announced as the 29th Man of Rochdale at Rochdale Golf Club, where he was presented with the plate bearing the names of all previous titleholders by last year’s Man of Rochdale, Dave Richardson.

Kieren McDonnell, chair of the Man of Rochdale committee, read out the nominations – of which there were 11 this year – before naming Wesley as the winner.

One nomination said: “Wes truly has a heart of gold when it comes to disadvantaged children and would give his last penny to help them.”

Since 2017, Wesley has raised significant amounts of money for the Rochdale Children’s Moorland Home through his own fundraising events.

 

Read more about Wesley's fundraising efforts:
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/news-archives?type=News&searchtype=Phrase&Criteria=wesley+dowd

 

These include, amongst other things, walking the Dales Way and the Cumbria Way with his loyal Jack Russell dogs Finley and Butch, and working with Parents Against Grooming UK on fundraising fun days and bike rides.

Mr Dowd also does other charitable work for children, independent of the work he does for Moorland Home.

This includes raising funds to send children with cancer or disabilities on holidays, Christmas present collections for needy children, and providing furniture, clothes and food for local families in need.

 

 

An overwhelmed Mr Dowd dedicated his trophy to Finley, who has kept him going on his walks.

Mr Dowd said: "Thank you to everybody who nominated me and Finley. Without that little dog coming into my life this wouldn't have happened and a massive thank you to Rochdale Children's Moorland's Home and PAG UK and everybody who helps me to help children."

The nominees and their guests were treated to a four-course meal at the Edenfield Road club, and entertainment was provided by this year’s guest speaker, former England cricketer Geoff Miller.

Tributes were also paid to Ken Davies MBE, the former fundraising manager of Springhill Hospice, and 2021’s Man of Rochdale, Lieutenant Commander Lawrence Scholes, who both sadly passed away this year.