Fundraisers and film stars club together for Portsmouth pub fundraiser

SKINHEADS, film stars and scores of pubgoers got together for an almighty knees-up to help a blind boy to see again.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Nov 2016, 05:55 BST
Updated 16th Nov 2016, 16:01 BST
Raising a glass to raise funds, George Newton, Loraine Stanley and John Blundell with the rest of the fundraisers for Lennon Beech Picture: Habibur RahmanRaising a glass to raise funds, George Newton, Loraine Stanley and John Blundell with the rest of the fundraisers for Lennon Beech Picture: Habibur Rahman
Raising a glass to raise funds, George Newton, Loraine Stanley and John Blundell with the rest of the fundraisers for Lennon Beech Picture: Habibur Rahman

The Froddington Arms in Fratton was fit to burst on Saturday night as hundreds of people turned out for the fundraising event, organised by the Hampshire Skinhead Association.

Among the crowd were several actors such as George Newton, who played Banjo in This is England, Gary Shail, who played Spider in Quadrophenia, Lorraine Stanley, who was in Eastenders and The Krays Legends, and John Blundell from Quadrophenia.

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Keith Thripp, from the association, organised the night to raise cash for his neighbour’s son – four-year-old Lennon Beech, from Southsea – who contracted meningitis aged just three weeks, which left him with global development delay, blindness and epilepsy.

Raising a glass to raise funds, George Newton, Loraine Stanley and John Blundell with the rest of the fundraisers for Lennon Beech Picture: Habibur RahmanRaising a glass to raise funds, George Newton, Loraine Stanley and John Blundell with the rest of the fundraisers for Lennon Beech Picture: Habibur Rahman
Raising a glass to raise funds, George Newton, Loraine Stanley and John Blundell with the rest of the fundraisers for Lennon Beech Picture: Habibur Rahman

Lennon’s family hope to raise £25,000 to pay for stem cell treatment in the USA that could possibly give him some vision back.

Keith said: ‘The place was ram-packed. We had a raffle, auction and our celebrities. It was a really great night. It was really hectic, very busy but it was a great time.’

Also enjoying the evening was Lennon’s mum and dad Donna Magee, 27, and Steve Beech, 34.

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Donna said: ‘We have raised £16,000 so far so we are really grateful for events like this as reaching our target could hopefully give Lennon some sight and it could help him build his immune system and hopefully give him some strength. Thank you to everyone.’

Lennon BeechLennon Beech
Lennon Beech

Steve added: ‘It has been brilliant, everyone is very friendly. It would mean a lot to me and my son to reach our target. We just want him to be able to see our faces for the first time. It would mean so much to us.’

There was a raffle and an auction, plus a DJ and live band Soul Patch, and some sponsored pork chop sideburn waxing.

Actress Lorraine, who played Thelma Bragg in Eastenders earlier this year, is originally from Somers Town. She was at the night with her mum June Goldring, 65, and friend Eve Stubbs, 68, who both live in Landport.

Lorraine said: ‘It is for Lennon and anything that helps children, I am all for. It has been a brilliant night.’

To donate, or for more about Lennon, go to treeofhope.org.uk/lennons-goal/

Related topics:Portsmouth