A Moorside Grinch has brought laughter to Dr Kershaw’s Hospice this Christmas season.
Earlier this month, the Grinch was spotted bringing cheer to Oldham alongside friend Jason Knight after the two fell out with their wives.
At the time, Jason, aged 50, said: “Me and my friend have had a bit of a problem with our missuses so we’re just trying to cheer ourselves up a bit, and it’s working. We went around Oldham, we just wanted to do a thing around Oldham town centre and that.
“Everyone loved him, they were all taking pictures of him and stuff.”
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After people started offering money for pictures, Jason told them to instead donate to Dr Kershaw’s Hospice – drawing the attention of the charity, who then got in touch with the duo.
@theoldhamtimes The Grinch has come to Oldham - and he's been tackling roadworks. While the Grinch’s real identity remains secret for now, friend Jason Knight, who filmed the Grinch’s adventure through the town, spoke with The Oldham Times. While in the town centre, a member of the public even bought the Grinch a coffee from Costa, and Jason has since had people get in touch to say they should charge for pictures. On Ashton Road, the Grinch even dabbled in some traffic management, waving motorists through some completed roadworks. Jason said the pair are planning to take to Manchester city centre this Saturday, and they’re set to visit landmarks including the Arndale. #Christmas #Oldham #Grinch #TheGrinch ♬ original sound - The Oldham Times
Jason and the Grinch, whose identity remains anonymous, were then invited over to the hospice, and given a money box and T-shirts for future fundraising escapades around the town centre.
The pair were even invited to the opening of a new Starbucks on Manchester Road as part of the events on Friday, December 15.
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Jill Kirkham, community and partnerships fundraising lead for Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, said: “It never ceases to amaze me the things our community will do to promote and raise funds for our Hospice.
“The Grinch’s visit brought plenty of smiles and laughter to both staff and patients, but he would insist on trying to break into the safe as well as having a massage, he even followed our fundraisers round to the new Starbucks as well so he could muscle in on the opening.
“In true Grinch ways he wouldn’t like to know how much we appreciated his visit, but we did.”
If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Oldham. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk or click to send me a message on WhatsApp or on Signal on 07517566383.
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