Kids get dark and mysterious for charity

It's a mystery: Kids get dark and mysterious for charity

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It was a night filled with mystery, intrigue, school uniforms and a giant chocolate Toblerone - and raised more than £300 for children’s charity MedEquip4Kids.

A murder mystery night was held at Tunshill Golf Club, Milnrow, to raise sponsorship money for Rochdale paramedic Gary Eaton, who is training to cycle 300 miles from London to Paris in aid of MedEquip4Kids.

MedEquip4Kids raises money to provide medical equipment for Rochdale Infirmary’s Children’s Unit so that children and babies receive the best possible care when sick or injured.

Gary, from Shawclough, has pledged to raise £1,500 for the four-day challenge and his colleagues from the Pennine Acute NHS Trust and friends came together to act out the Murder Mystery Night.

The event was organised by DNA, NWAS paramedic Darren Hutchinson and Anne Coates, deputy chief executive of Bury PCT.

Darren and Anne have been involved in various amateur dramatic productions for several years with the Rochdale Infirmary Players before forming DNA (Darren ‘n’ Anne) to write, produce and star in murder mystery nights.

The charity night was themed around a school reunion and acted out by hospital staff from the Pennine Acute NHS Trust to an audience of more than 80.

Guests watched the performance before deciding who was the ‘killer’ and the winner was presented with a basket of fruit while a 4.5kg Toblerone was awarded to MedEquip4Kids Community Fundraiser, Rachel Allen, for wearing the best fancy dress school uniform.

The money was raised with a raffle, collection and £250 donation from the Hospital Caters Association.

Rachel said: "The night was a huge success and very funny. I really have to commend and thank the hospital staff who wrote, memorised and practiced the whole play in their spare time all in aid of MedEquip4Kids.

"Gary took part in our Lancashire Loop Cycle Challenge last year and, from this, decided to take on the London to Paris bike ride. I can't thank him enough and, with the help and support of DNA, Gary is well on his way to reaching his £1,500 target."