Friends’ fundraising exceeds expectations

Friends of DJ and teacher Mr Ian Lamb have smashed a £6,000 target needed to buy him a special wheelchair.

Mr Lamb, of Churchill Drive, Newark, was left paralysed after an operation but is determined to live life to the full once he is allowed home from hospital hopefully later this month.

To help, his friends have organised events to buy a wheelchair to enable him be more independent. They have raised a total of £9,100.

The latest event was on Friday evening at Newark Showground with a sell-out disco, which raised £5,150.

A video recorded by Mr Lamb was played at the event in which he explained how the wheelchair would help him. He was also able to thank everyone for attending.

On Thursday an under-nines children’s football match followed by an under-30s versus over-30s game was held at Collingham Football Club.

The event was organised by Newark Town and RHP footballer Daniel Purves and raised £2,000.

A race night at The Cardinal’s Hat raised £800; Newark Railway Cub raised £776, and there have been donations of £370.

One of the organisers, Mr Dan Dolby, said they owed a massive thank you to everyone who supported the events, donated raffle prizes, and organised or helped with them.

He said they hoped to raise £6,000 so to raise so much more was amazing.

Once the wheelchair has been paid for any money left will be used to buy fitness equipment to help Mr Lamb.

Mr Dolby said: “Everybody has been really generous both with their time and money. We couldn’t have asked for better support.”