Auction of football shirts brings in the cash for Blue Day
A charity auction of signed football memorabilia signed by some of the world's best players has raised more than £2,000 for Tom Prince Cancer Trust.
The pre-Blue Day event put on by school teacher David MacAskill, saw football shirts signed by the entire squads of Pompey, Arsenal, Newcastle and Manchester City up for sale to 60 guests at the Pizza House Restaurant in London Road, Hilsea.
The event has given the upcoming Blue Day on May 18 a big cash boost of 2,155.
Mr MacAskill, who teaches at The Harbour School, Tipner Lane, Tipner, organised the event and was thrilled at the amount that was raised.
He said: 'It was a real shock. Obviously we had hoped for that kind of money but the auction went really well.
'I sent letters explaining what it was all about to loads of clubs and footballers and the generosity of people for a good cause, and this is a great cause, has been tremendous.
'Mark Hughes and Steve Bruce even wrote nice letters back, which I thought was really nice of them.'
Mr MacAskill, 37, who lives in Waterlooville, chose to host the event at the Pizza House restaurant because last year its owners loaned Harbour School their replica FA Cup trophy for pupils to pose next to for pictures.
'The restaurant has been brilliant,' said the teacher.
Adele Prince, the mother of young Pompey fan Tom Prince, who died from bone cancer in 2004, was at the event.
She said: 'This night has been fantastic and the money raised will go towards the 435,000 we have raised so far.'
Mr MacAskill also announced the big plans Harbour School have for Blue Day '09, organised by The News, which takes place next Monday.
'We're running an enterprise challenge, where each class comes up with a different way of raising as much money as they can.
'My class are doing a guess the weight and how many sweets are in a jar, others are doing things like a cake sale and a car wash.'
And he added: 'We hope to beat the 126 we raised last year.
'I've invited Adele Prince to come to the school and receive a giant cheque for the money we've raised from the auction and what we raise on the day.'
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Our Blue Day fundraiser will be on Monday, May 18 – the day of Pompey's last home match of the season.
We want readers, schools, groups, businesses, pubs and clubs to back us and help raise money for the Tom Prince Cancer Trust.
You could fine colleagues for not wearing blue for the day, and donate the cash.
You could organise a fundraising jumble sale, concert or fun day.
Or you could get yourself sponsored to do whatever you like... wearing blue of course.
Download a registration form from tomprince.co.uk to get the ball rolling.
BLUE DAY ROLL OF HONOUR
Cascades Shopping Centre, Portsmouth
Sainsbury's, Farlington
St Vincent Care Home, Southsea
Wilkinson in Waterlooville
Pompey Independent Supporters' Association
Sainsbury's, Commercial Road, Portsmouth
The Milton Arms, Milton
Southsea Infant School, Southsea
Meredith Infant School, Portsmouth
St Swithun's Catholic Primary School, Southsea
Cottage Grove Primary School, Southsea
The Festing pub, Southsea
Front Lawn School, Leigh Park
Southern Co-operative
Portsmouth College
Mulberry Park Children's Nursery, Cosham
Bluebell Care Home, Southsea
Lake Road surgery staff
Same Difference
Portsmouth Football Club
Fareham College, Fareham
London Marathon runner Paul Tushingham, Fareham
Colas, Portsmouth
Moorings Way Infant School, Portsmouth
Zurich Financial Services, Whiteley
Newbridge Junior School,Portsmouth
Portsmouth City Council
B&Q Havant
Kiddi Karu Day Nursery,Whiteley
Education ICT, Hampshire County Council
Carpets 4 Less, Fareham
Starlet Boutique, Southsea
Affinion International, Airspeed Road, Portsmouth
The Haven Nursery, Lake Road, Portsmouth
Harbour School, Tipner, Portsmouth
The Royal Albert Day Centre, Landport, Portsmouth
Almys Express Sandwich, Portsmouth and Southsea Station
Somers Park Primary School, Somers Town, Portsmouth
Andy Muscat, friend of Tom Prince
Port Solent Day Nursery
Holbrook Leisure Centre, Goport
Priory School, Fawcett Road, Southsea
Grosvenor Casinos in Osborne Road, Southsea, and Gunwharf Quays
Daniamant Ltd, Admiral Park, Airport Services Road, Portsmouth
Travellers Joy, Milton Road Portsmouth
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Friday 25 May 2012
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