Fundraiser's £10,000 target to help Kirsty (From Warrington Guardian)

Fundraiser's £10,000 target to help Kirsty

A GRANDFATHER from Callands is hoping to raise £10,000 for a north west charity over the next 12 months - before his 55th birthday.

Peter Graham-Johnson, of St Asaph Drive, helped to collect £2,000 on his 50th birthday for children suffering from cystic fibrosis on the paediatric ward at Warrington Hospital.

And the generous 54-year-old's latest campaign supports little Kirsty Howard, who was born with her heart back to front, and has spent the past five years raising more than £2.5m for Francis House in Didsbury.

Peter, who will turn 55 on January 22 next year, already has lots of ideas for fundraising events, but he wants more people to get involved and boost the total.

He said: "The main fundraiser will be the '100 Club for Kirsty', which involves each member donating £5 a month, and we're also hoping to hold at least one event every month.

"The first event will take place on February 14, Valentine's Day, when a friend in Pickmere will host a red and black themed dance.

"All the guests will be asked to make a donation instead of buying a birthday card or present."

Plans are also in the pipeline to enter a team of eight, as well as two individual runners, in the Manchester 10km race at the end of May and encourage people to take part in the coast-to-coast walk, of 192 miles, at the beginning of July.

Warrington Wolves have agreed to a bucket collection at the new Halliwell Jones Stadium when they take on Wigan on May 28, and Kirsty, who has had nine operations on her heart, will be the game's mascot. Other fundraising events include a sportsman's dinner, summer barbecues and a male slave auction, and supporters are also creating a Kirsty and Our Kids calendar for 2005 before the big 55th birthday bash.

If you want to help Peter, ring 571841 or 07881 624320.