Blades 125th Donations Presented to Cancer Charity

30th October 2014

The money raised at Sheffield United's 125th anniversary dinner has been officially presented to Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity.

A total of £13,867 was donated at the event, with club shirt sponsor John Holland Sales Ltd giving £5,000 after hearing the touching story of 18-year-old Oran Kenyon's fight against cancer. Dave McCarthy, Operations Director at Sheffield United Football Club, John Holland Sales Ltd business owner Mark Holland, and Martin Green, managing director at Redtooth, who were event partners and masterminded the production of the 125th show and dinner, were on hand to present a cheque to Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity on the Bramall Lane pitch before United's 2-0 win against Yeovil. Receiving the cheque on behalf of the charity were Helen Gentle, fundraising manager at Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, and college student Oran Kenyon, from Doncaster, who touched the hearts of many when he shared his story on stage in front of the sell-out crowd at the 125th dinner. Helen Gentle said: -We are overwhelmed by the support we have received and thanks to the generosity of people on the night and cancer patient, Oran, who told his brave story, we are able to continue funding vital projects which ultimately improves the treatment and care for over 60,000 cancer patients across our region. Mark Holland, owner of the prestige car dealers and club shirt sponsor John Holland Sales Ltd, said: -Oran's story is remarkable and it brought the audience at the 125 dinner to its feet. -We're delighted to be here with him to present a cheque to Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity as it is such a wonderful cause. Martin Green said: -It is an honour to have presented the cheque to Oran and Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity. Oran's story is remarkable and his touching story brought the audience at Sheffield United's 125th dinner to its feet. I'm delighted that more than £13,000 was raised that evening as it is such a wonderful cause. Dave McCarthy said: -We had hoped the event would provide an opportunity to raise vital funds for the Charity but we had never expected to receive such a response and to raise such an amount of money. -The generosity of Mark and all the other guests was outstanding and we are truly grateful for their support. Throughout 2014, the Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity is marking its 20th anniversary by funding a wide variety of projects for the hospital, including the completion of the new Clinical Research Unit and the Day Case reception refurbishment.