‘Razor’ helps raise cash for caring charities

Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock’s amusing tales of his time as a football hardman ensured that guests at a Sportsman’s Dinner at the Wynyard Rooms were feeling happy and generous by the time the evening’s fund-raising auction began.

The 175-strong audience raised almost £2,000 in bids for sports memorabilia after enjoying entertainment from comedian Jimmy Bright and Neil Ruddock. The former central defender who played for Spurs, Liverpool and West Ham before his retirement from the game almost a decade ago after a short-lived spell as Swindon Town’s Player/coach.

A shirt once worn by Pele was the most sought-after item but world champion boxer Joe Calzaghe’s shorts and a signed photo of Bobby Robson also attracted top bids.

The total raised is to be divided between Gretton Court Nursing Home in Hartlepool that cares for people with Alzheimer’s, and Stockton’s Butterwick Hospice.
Jeff Hind, general manager of The Wynyard Rooms, said the event had not only been a sell out but had attracted a waiting list from those anxious to attend if anyone dropped out.

“Given its success, we are already planning a second Sportsman’s Dinner for 2010,’ he added. ‘’But finding a guest who can hold the audience’s attention like Neil Ruddock did will be a touch challenge – each time we organise one of these events, the speakers seem to get better and better!”
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