He’s known as the Tombola Man and is a familiar face among stallholders and shoppers at Macclesfield market.
Gary Henshaw has been raising funds for East Cheshire Hospice for almost two years with his game of lucky dip.
Unfortunately, the retired businessman was forced to shelve his tombola stall due to health issues.
But he plans to return in the spring, adding to the £10,045 he has already raised for the Hospice.
Gary Henshaw who has raised more than £10,000 for East Cheshire Hospice from his tombola stall.
It costs £1 to enter the draw with a prize won on every spin of his tombola drum.
Winners take home prizes including jewellery, watches, make-up, pens, wine and ornaments.
Gary said: “It’s a bit of fun for a wonderful cause and every penny taken goes to the Hospice.
“We have 40 balls, half with numbers on and a star prize. Even the blank balls win a prize worth more than the £1 entry.
“Virtually all the prizes are new and have been donated. Companies give me end of line products for charity. One firm has just given me half a warehouse of stuff, including bags and pens.
“I love being out there with the public. I want to thank everyone for their support, including the market, and those who’ve donated items – I couldn’t do it without them.
“I’m always looking for more unwanted gifts to include in the tombola. I give my time for free, it’s purely voluntary.”
Gary, now 71, has been in hospital with high blood pressure after two heart attacks.
He said: “I had a stall at the last treacle market and people remembered me which is nice. It was good to be back and I’ll start a regular stall outside once the weather improves.”
Gary toured pubs and clubs with his Forge the Link trivia quiz, a game he said he dreamt up in his sleep.
He said: “That was going well until Covid hit and people stopped going to pubs. It was a way to donating money to various charities.
“The Hospice struck me as a charity that affects everyone in some way. It doesn’t matter what walk of life you come from; they look after everyone.
“I thought this is a worthwhile charity and decided it was the one I wanted to concentrate the tombola on.
“A friend of mine passed away last year and spent his last two weeks there.”
* To donate contact Gary on 07776 181028 or gazhenshaw@hotmail.com
Back to all newsThank you so much for choosing to support East Cheshire Hospice. You may never know how much your gift means, but we know that it will make the world of difference to our patients and their families.
