Emmerdale Victory over tycom!

Published:   28th Jun 2007, 13:31

Members of TV soap opera Emmerdale had a fantastic time at this year's charity fundraising event in Aberdeen. They joined thousands of people to raise money for charity and enjoy the feast of family fun - including six-a-side football - at the Emmerdale Extravaganza.

Actor Tony Audenshaw, who plays Bob Hope in the show, said: "It's great fun - the football has been brilliant. We were very nervous because you don't want to make a fool of yourself. It's great there are a lot of people here and there are a lot more attractions.".

Mark Charnock, who plays Marlon in the soap, added: "I haven't played football for ages but the fact I'm still standing here must mean something.".

The stars joined in activities such as a fashion show and even a wing walk. The other stars included Extravaganza star Chris Chittell (Eric Pollard), Adele Silva (Kelly Windsor), Tom Lister (Carl King), Verity Rushworth (Donna Windsor) and young Eden Taylor-Draper (Belle Dingle).

The Emmerdale Select footballers played three matches - drawing 2-2 with Weatherford, winning 2-0 against tycom and again 2-0 while playing Aberdeen Ladies.

Adele Silva did a wing walk and Tom Lister wooed the women at the evening dinner-dance with his singing. Adele, 26, said afterwards: "I had never done it before but I'm a bit of a daredevil on the fly so I was really looking forward to it. Everyone was saying, 'Are you not nervous?' but I wasn't. It was brilliant, really amazing.".

One of the highlights of the Extravaganza was the lady drivers' challenge, where teams of four women took to the wheel of four heavy-duty vehicles. Verity Rushworth showed her class at the event by driving a digger while wearing high heels.

Those with a head for heights took part in the wing walk or an abseil down the tower at the venue of the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.

Kate Synott, 43, fundraising manager for urological cancer charity Ucan, did the wing walk even though she admitted being scared of heights. "They took me up extra high," she said. "But I wasn't scared at all - it was absolutely awesome.".

Afterwards, she then tackled the abseil down the 150ft-high AECC tower. She added: "It was the scariest moment of the day and I couldn't wait to touch the ground.".

There was also bouncy castles, a funfair and lots of food outlets at the event, which has been running for seven years now.

Organiser George Walker said: "It went really well - the Emmerdale cast said it was the best one they had been to. We've got no idea how much money has been raised as we've yet to count up the ticket sales and we'll also get sponsorship money in over the next month. We're very optimistic about the total - we've had tremendous feedback from the public, the sponsors and the cast.".

The event was sponsored by Qserv and was raising money for the Press and Journal's Year of Giving charity fund. The campaign aims to generate £500,000 for people in need up and down the country.

Half the money raised will be shared equally between five charities - Ucan, the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust, Leukaemia Research, Maggie's Highlands Cancer Care Centre in Inverness - and Emmerdale Charities, which will donate money to a range of causes. The remaining £250,000 will be distributed between smaller charities and good causes in the north and north-east.