Cooksey collection at Dale v Oldham

Ernie Cooksey

Saturday 17 March sees Dale host Oldham Athletic and in memory of former Dale and Oldham Athletic favourite Ernie Cooksey, who lost a battle with the cancer malignant melanoma in 2008, there will be a turnstile collection before the game in aid of the malignant melanoma research team at The Christie.

Andy Worthington of Factor 50, who are taking the collection, said: "We know how much Ernie meant to the supporters of both clubs and we are very grateful to the Dale board for this opportunity to raise funds. The club and the Dale supporters trust have been staunch supporters of the work we are doing to help find a cure for melanoma and we welcome their continued invaluable support."

Factor 50 is a fundraising and patient support group under the umbrella of the malignant melanoma research team at The Christie. Since forming in Autumn 2007 they have raised almost £150,000 for the team. Factor 50 is a melanoma stakeholder with NICE, who review and approve new treatments on the NHS, and part of the parliamentary melanoma task force, regularly attending meetings at Westminster.

Factor 50's ultimate goal is to improve patient outcomes by helping to find a cure for malignant melanoma.

Factor 50 also organise the annual Ernie Cooksey Golf Day - this year is on Friday 29 June.

www.factor50.org.uk/sponsorship_events?event=86