Help raise funds in dancing shoes

AROUND £3,000 was raised for armed forces charity Soldiers Off The Streets at last year's Soul4Heroes event enjoyed by, from left, Angie Bradley, Angela Tate-Wright, Katherine Clift, Carl H Spiers and Karen Clift

SOULIES will be raising the roof at an annual event which has drummed up thousands of pounds for armed forces charities.

More than 300 residents are expected to turn out in their dancing shoes for Soul4Heroes at the Polish Club in Chamber Road.

A total of 20 DJs will be on the decks providing 11 hours of Northern Soul and Motown music on original vinyl at the event on Easter Sunday.

All proceeds will go to this year's chosen charity - Salford-based Broughton House - a hospice providing nursing and residential care for ex-military personnel.

Since its set-up seven years ago the Soul4Heroes events have helped raise more than £17,500 for ex-military charities.

Co-organiser Graham Anderson said: "I think that anyone, man or woman, who has ever worn a uniform for the protection of this country deserves 150 per cent backing from every single person who hasn't.

"Without them we would not have the freedoms that we have."

With the support of a wider team, Graham was inspired to set up Soul4Heroes after his son served as a Royal Marine commando.

The former Dreamers night club DJ, who will perform on Sunday, said: "We held the first one in Manchester eight years ago but we decided to make it a bigger event here in Oldham.

"The DJs and venue are all booked for Sunday and there's some big names. We're making a full day of it."

The event kicks off at 1pm with music and dancing continuing until midnight. Tickets cost £6 on the door.