19 Jun 2017 Community

Chalking their Cues in Memory of Top Snooker Star

VIP players pot their way to success at Lindley’s Snooker Exhibition, with £3,000 funding figure raised for Kirkwood Hospice

Lindley Liberal Club was the setting on the 19th May for a special sell-out Snooker Exhibition in memory of top UK player and three-time Masters Champion, Paul Hunter.

Marking the 10 year Anniversary and celebrating Paul’s life, an unforgettable evening of snooker ensued with players for the night being local snooker enthusiast, Robert Read, and 2005 World Champion, Shaun Murphy.

Robert Read (left) with competitor and friend, Shaun Murphy.

 

Back in 2005, Leeds-born Paul was sadly diagnosed with a life-limiting illness and spent his final days at Kirkwood Hospice in 2006, aged just 27.

Paul’s parents and close family members were in attendance as Guests of Honour on this very memorable and successful occasion which raised in excess of £3,000 for Kirkwood Hospice.

Shaun, known in snooker circles as ‘The Magician’, drove over from Nottingham himself on the night to give his services free of charge and ultimately ended the day victorious with six frames to three.

Organised by Robert and Lindley Liberal Club, tickets were on sale for £15 each, with one supporter generously paying £250 for theirs.

130 tickets were sold in advance of the event and on the night the room was packed to capacity with local snooker buffs and Kirkwood supporters.

Kirkwood Hospice's Community Fundraiser, Nicola Barber (centre), with Lindley Liberal Club Secretary, Dawn Fawcett, and Robert Read.

 

To ensure the event raised as much money as possible for the Hospice, unique fundraisers were also organised for the night including special limited-edition tickets and a grand auction.

For just £10 more a ticket, ‘VIP’ guests had the opportunity to meet and greet Shaun after the match and claim for themselves a collection of signed photographs.

Additionally, correctly guessing the final score of the match for a £2 bet could win you prizes including bottles of spirits donated by Lindley Liberal Club and a cue and case worth £50.

Won by Jamie Hill, who donated £60 for the privilege, the opportunity also arose to play Shaun himself for the final frame of the night and in an exciting and competitive auction, some of Peridans and Craftsman Cues finest gear was up for grabs, raising over £450 in total.

"It was nice to know that the 10 year celebration of Paul was embraced by so many people who also have Kirkwood to heart. It was a one-off event in celebration of Paul and that’s why it was so special.” Robert Read

Commenting on the event, Robert Read said: “For a living, I fit snooker, billiard and pool tables for clubs and professionals and I do Shaun’s table quite regularly. Shaun and I were both friends of Paul Hunter’s and we wanted to do something together, marking the 10 year Anniversary.

“It was nice to know that the 10 year celebration of Paul was embraced by so many people who also have Kirkwood to heart. It was a one-off event in celebration of Paul and that’s why it was so special.”

Robert was also keen to make special thanks to Dawn and Ian Fawcett, Secretary and President of the Lindley Liberal Club, as well as sons Oliver and Jake Read who made brilliant doormen on the night.

Robert said: “I’d like to say thank you to all the people who donated money on the night and a special thank you to Lindley Liberal Club, who even donated £200 themselves; taking the grand total up to £3,000. We couldn’t have done it without them.

"Without the support of people in the community, we simply wouldn’t be able to keep the doors of the Hospice open caring for patients and their families in Kirklees." Nicola Barber

Enjoying the atmosphere of the night herself, Kirkwood Hospice Community Fundraiser, Nicola Barber, said:

“It was wonderful to be a part of this event organised in memory of Paul Hunter. There was a great atmosphere on the night and I was overwhelmed to hear how much had been raised.

“On behalf of everyone at Kirkwood Hospice, I want to say a huge thank you to Rob, Dawn & Ian from Lindley Liberal Club for their wonderful donation. Without the support of people in the community, we simply wouldn’t be able to keep the doors of the Hospice open caring for patients and their families in Kirklees. Thank you!”