A CHARITY event featuring Billy Pearce raised more than £2,000 for the family of a seriously ill Bradford woman.
The comedian gave his time for free in aid of the Ormondroyd family.
Donna Ormondroyd suffered massive brain damage when she collapsed out of the blue in August 2015.
Her husband Gregg had to leave his job to raise their four young children, while also fighting to bring his wife back home from hospital.
Subsequently, many people – including footballer Tom Cleverley – have got behind the family and raised money.
On Thursday night, at Central Division Sports and Social Club in West Bowling, Mr Pearce and singing duo Soul Provider gave up their time for free to entertain 200-plus people and help the Ormondroyds.
Gregg said: “It was brilliant, really good. I could not have asked for anything else. It was a fantastic night.”
Mr Pearce said: “It was a great night. Everyone seemed to enjoy it.
“Bradford’s a great place with people wanting to help others. I find things like this really humbling and was pleased to help out.
“Hopefully Gregg’s wife will be coming home soon.”
Of the money raised – £2,160 – Gregg said: “It is amazing. Again, people are going above and beyond – and I cannot thank them enough.
“Billy Pearce did it for free and I cannot thank him enough for taking time out of his busy schedule. He was a really nice bloke, very down to earth.”
Gregg also praised event organisers Nicky Devaney and Peter Ridsdale. The pair did not know Gregg or his family, but read of their plight in the Telegraph & Argus and decided to help.
“I want to say a huge thank-you to them,” said Gregg. “I cannot do all this on my own, so for them to take time out – a lot of time – to sort this out is truly amazing.”
Nicky met Gregg for the first time on the night. She had not wanted to meet him before that because she would “get too emotional”.
“It was lovely to finally meet him,” said Nicky. “But obviously quite emotional.
“It was an absolutely fantastic night. Or ‘chuffing brilliant’ in Billy Pearce’s words!”
She added: “Billy has asked us to keep in touch with him about Donna’s progress and the family.
“And Peter has worked relentlessly on this event. We cannot fault him.”
Peter said: “It was a brilliant night. It gives you a great deal of satisfaction. I was with Gregg and his dad and Donna’s mum, and seeing their faces and how they enjoyed it was brilliant.”
Gregg said the money raised will be split between a sensory room for Donna at the family home near Shipley and things for Christmas.
“It will be about 80 per cent on the sensory room,” said Gregg. “And a little bit to help us with Christmas.
“Hopefully Donna will be here for Christmas.”
On the night there was a raffle featuring various prizes, including items donated by Tom Cleverley and signed by the Everton squad.
Nicky said the club’s fundraising for the Ormondroyds – which started in August with a ladies’ night – would continue until next August.
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