SINGER-SONGWRITER Francis Dunnery will be returning home later this month to head a weekend of fundraising activities to help youngsters in his native Egremont.
Almost 100 people – including fans from Japan and America – have already signed up to take part in a sponsored walk round Ennerdale, which has become a traditional part of Francis’ October fundraising weekend.
The former It Bites front man, who has carved out a successful solo career in America where he is now based, hopes to raise thousands of pounds for the Charlie and Kathleen Dunnery Children’s Fund, which he set up in memory of his parents.
All money collected by the fund this year will go to Wyndham School.
The fundraising kicks off on October 21 with an 18-hole charity golf competition at Seascale Golf Club. Thirty players have already signed up to take part and there are places for 45 more.
The competition tees off at 7.30 am with the presentation at 4.30 pm, followed by a raffle and auction.
Francis, who has been playing a series of concerts across Europe, will be performing a charity concert at Rosehill Theatre near Whitehaven on the Saturday night.
John and Wayne will be playing support and Francis’ solo slot will be the story of his life through music.
There will be a special raffle at the concert, to win a pair of VIP tickets to the 2007 Brit Awards at Earls Court in London on February 14.
Tickets are £5 and can be bought by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to CKDCF, Meadow Brook, Dent Road, Thornhill, Egremont, Cumbria, CA22 2RU.
The Ennerdale walk is on Sunday, October 22, starting off with breakfast with Francis, at the Bowness Knott car park at 9am. The seven-mile walk starts at 10am and is expected to have the biggest turnout so far.
Francis will be playing a second concert at Rosehill on the Sunday night.
For more information about the walk, the fund or how to take part in the various fundraising activities, contact Mark on 01946 823613.
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 4, 2006
By Andrea Thompson
Published in News & Star