Clash of the day for charity night (From This Is Lancashire)

Clash of the day for charity night

11:38am Wednesday 23rd January 2008 in

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THE date of a glittering fundraising dinner has been moved to avoid clashing with a Bolton Wanderers UEFA Cup match.

The organisers had planned the dinner for St Valentine's Night, February 14, at the Reebok until they realised it was the same night as the Wanderers' home leg against Atletico Madrid.

Now the Valentine's Heart and Diamonds evening has moved to Friday, February 15.

The evening will feature top lookalike singer Danny Jones, who impersonates Julio Iglesias, Neil Diamond, Tom Jones and Elvis Presley.

He has just completed a residency in Las Vegas.

The evening will be compered by former Houghton Weaver Tony Prince.

The event has been organised by fundraising champion Derek Gaskell and businessman Andrew Dickson to raise money for two causes close to their hearts.

Both men have been successfully treated for prostrate cancer and now want to raise cash to buy a special bone scanner machine for the Royal Bolton Hospital urology department where prostate sufferers are treated.

Mr Gaskell also wants to raise money for his charity the Brain and Spinal Injury Centre (BASIC) which he set up in 1983 to treat those who suffer from diseases or injuries affecting the brain and spine, after his wife, Dorothy, suffered a brain haemorrhage.

Following his wife's recovery he raised millions of pounds to open - and run - the BASIC centre near Hope Hospital in Salford which now treats people from all over the country.

Over the years, Mr Gaskell has organised a string of high- profile charity fundraising events, including hiring Concorde and the Orient Express.

Speaking about the Valentine's dinner, he said: "Danny Jones is a fantastic act and has worked in Las Vegas for months. If we sell around 400 tickets we will be able to split the proceeds of the evening between the two causes."

Mr Dickson, former owner of St Andrews Travel, wants to raise money for the bone scanner and to help refurbish the day room and provide a television for those waiting for treatment. Over the years he has also supported Derek's BASIC charity.

Mr Dickson, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer two years ago, now encourages all men aged over 50 to ask their doctor for a test.

"Your GP will do a PSA test, a simple blood test. If you have indications you can treat it and if you are clear you can relax."

l Tickets are £40 each or £400 for a table of ten. Contact 0161 789 5176.