Local people have been pulling out all the stops to help local Paralympian and gold medalist Zoe Robinson raise some much needed cash to help her with training for this year’s London 2012 Olympics.
The Art Picture House in Bury is providing a free buffet and doormen on 27 June from 8.30pm until midnight where four music acts, two bands, Our Last Riot and The Fallen Angels and two solo artists Dan Towers and Sarah Dixon have given their time and talents to rock around the clock for Zoe, who has Cerebral Palsy.
Tickets will be £5 and be bought in advance by contacting Louise Kent on 07740484780 or on the door during the night. Already several people have donated prizes for a raffle including Peter Sweeney who is providing a signed Bury FC top and O2 have donated a pair of Dr Dre Beats Headphones, Park Farm have donated an afternoon tea for two.
All monies raised on the night will pay for new sports equipment and go towards Zoe’s travel costs, which is where her family struggle to make ends meet.
Louise Kent who works at 02 Bury first met Zoe in March this year during Sports Relief, she said, “When I first met her I was calling round local retailers to ask for gifts to donate and raffle. I managed to get hold of Zoe to see if she would be able to pop in to show her support. I thought she would stay half an hour or so, but she ended up being here over three hours showing off her medal and having photos taken. She brought with her mum and also Scott Quigg, who is also from Bury and is a championship boxer, he has had 24 fights, won all 24, 17 of them were KO’s! Impressive! Whilst they were here I was talking to her mum about how they cope and how they raise the money for all the training. Zoe does get a disability allowance, as she has Cerebral Palsy, and part of her training is funded the rest her parents have to find. Zoe attends any charity event she is able to get to, and on meeting her I just found her inspiring. Two weeks after we met, I heard that she had got through to London 2012, and thought it would be nice to hold a fund raiser to help her and her family with the costs of travel, which is their main burden. I’d love to be able to help her, I think she is pretty amazing”.
