Nice one, Cyril!
By Colin Grant
TWELVE MONTHS of hard work and planning will pay off on Tuesday when nearly 400 people, paying £100 a head, will attend a gala boxing night in aid of our hospice appeal.
 The event, at the Hilton Hotel, Glasgow, is the brainchild of Cyril Paskin, the chairman of the Philip Green Memorial Trust.
Although now 80 years of age and based in London, Cyril has commuted regularly to Glasgow and has worked tirelessly to ensure the night will be a great success.
Cyril established the trust 17 years ago after the death of his pal and fellow charity worker Philip Green. The pair had spent many years raising funds for good causes in the East End of London, where Philip had grown up.
Humble
From humble beginnings the trust has grown, under Cyril’s leadership, into a highly-efficient organisation which raises and donates hundreds of thousands of pounds each year to charities by holding high-profile
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Cyril Paskin
Jim Watt and Ken
Buchanan.
  
(L-R)
Air Commodore Routledge,
Jeremy Beadle and Group Captain Moulds.
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fund-raising events around the UK. At its formation, it was decided all money raised by the trust would be specifically earmarked for disabled or disadvantaged children.
When Cyril heard about The Sunday Post’s campaign to help build a new children’s hospice for Scotland, he knew immediately that he had to get involved.
After a visit to Rachel House and meetings with CHAS chief executive Agnes Malone, he agreed to donate £250,000 to our appeal, which will be earmarked for a hydrotherapy unit at the new hospice.
Commenting on the venture, Cyril said, “The unit will house a special swimming pool which helps soothe aching joints and limbs. In addition, its warmth and buoyancy will provide great support for the children and allow them greater independence.”
All proceeds
The proceeds from Tuesday night’s boxing dinner will go directly to the hydrotherapy unit.
It promises to be a great night out. While the accent will be on fund-raising there will be plenty of entertainment as well, thanks to ventriloquist Roger De Courcey and all-round TV favourite Jeremy Beadle, who will conduct an auction.
In addition, there are four professional bouts on the card. The fights will take on an extra edge because it is an international contest between Scotland and England with four evenly-matched boxers from each country.
The boxing arrangements have been made by top London-based promoter Robert Waterman and Tommy Gilmour, whose St Andrew’s Boxing Club in Glasgow is now celebrating its 30th year as Scotland’s premier fight venue. Tommy has arranged for five former champions to be introduced in the ring.
He said, “I’m delighted that some of Scotland’s boxing greats will honour us with their presence on Tuesday. World Lightweight champions Ken Buchanan and Jim Watt will be joined by World Flyweight champ Pat Clinton, European, Commonwealth and British Welterweight champ Gary Jacobs and 1960 Commonwealth gold medallist John McDermott, who went on to train Pat Clinton and Gary Jacobs.”
The Royal Air Force has also played a major role, not just in the arrangements for Tuesday night, but also within the Philip Green Memorial Trust. Two senior officers, Air Commodore Martin Routledge and Group Captain Gordon Moulds will represent the RAF at the top table.
Tribute
Paying tribute to their massive contribution Cyril Paskin said, “Gordon Moulds has been invaluable to the Trust since joining us a number of years ago. As a fund-raiser he is almost without equal. On his own he has raised £20,000 towards our £250,000 target and has worked very hard behind the scenes to ensure everything goes smoothly on Tuesday.
“I would also like to thank Air Commodore Routledge for encouraging his men at RAF Leuchars to get involved in this project.
“Through the Station Charity Action Group, they have already contributed £30,000 towards our total. The Air Commodore has also arranged for guests to be met by a 15-piece pipe band from RAF Leuchars when they arrive at the Hilton. As a former RAF man I am proud and delighted by their support.” |
You can e-mail us at:
hospice@sundaypost.com
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