Post by SheWolf on Jun 9, 2008 15:27:01 GMT 1
From The Belfast Telegraph
Emmerdale stars pledge to return to Northern Ireland
Monday, June 09, 2008
By Maureen Coleman
The stars of top soap Emmerdale have vowed to bring their charity Extravaganza back to Northern Ireland following the weekend’s “incredible” event.
Up to 5,000 members of the public descended on the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum on Saturday for the Emmerdale Extravaganza in aid of the Anthony Nolan Trust.
Actors from the award-winning ITV soap gave up their free time to take part in a host of fund-raising activities, from five-a-side football to a fun run.
Several brave cast members, including hunky Matthew Wolfenden, who plays David Metcalfe, took to the skies in the Go Loopy Aircraft Challenge, while stunning Jenna Louise Coleman, who plays Jasmine Thomas, overcame her fear of heights to do an abseil.
Mark Charnock, aka Marlon Dingle, stutted his stuff on the catwalk in a special fashion show while Matthew Bose, who plays Paul Lambert spent most of the day signing autographs and posing for pictures.
Sammy Winward, aka Katie Sugden, teamed up with Jenna Louise to take part in an Army cook-off, but ended up coming last.
The sun shone throughout the day, attracting large crowds to Northern Ireland’s first ever Extravaganza.
Dominic Brunt, who plays Paddy the vet, said there was “no comparison” between Cultra and Aberdeen, the city where the event has been held in the past.
“This place is perfectly built for what we needed to get going — it has just worked out perfectly,” he said.
“The people of Belfast, of Northern Ireland, are so friendly and the reaction we have received is far better than we could have imagined.
“I think we should come here here every year until you’re sick of us.”
And Matthew Wolfenden said he too hoped the Emmerdale Extravaganza would be back in Northern Ireland next year.
“It’s been incredible here today, really amazing. Events like this are always amazing, but especially so over here.
“I think we’re hoping to have it here again next year. It’s been in Aberdeen for the past seven years so hopefully we can all come back here again next year, as long as the weather is like this.”
Chris Chittell, who plays Eric Pollard, helped bring about the Emmerdale Extravaganza with his friend George Walker.
He said: “Each year the Extravaganza just gets better and better and better and more and more of my colleagues give up their free time for the cause — the Anthony Nolan Trust and I am astounded and proud of them,” he said.
“Like Scotland, the people here are so charming and we’re having a wonderful day.”
Lurgan couple Rosemary and Cyril King said they would make it a regular day out if the Extravaganza returned to Ulster.
Rosemary said: “I’m Emmerdale’s biggest fan and it’s been great to see them all here day. It’s lovely of them all to come over and do something like this for charity.”
Claire Scott from the Ballysillan Road and Nadine Fannon from Glencarin, were delighted to meet their favourite character.
Claire said: “We both love Marlon Dingle and managed to get meeting him and get our photograph taken with him. He was lovely.”
Following the event, the stars dressed up in their finery to attend a fund-raising dinner dance and charity auction at the Culloden Hotel. A number of cast members, including Tom Lister (Carl King), Tony Audenshaw (Bob Hope) and Deena Payne (Viv Hope) took to the stage to sing for the guests.
Organiser George Walker said: “We’ve had a brilliant time here today and the cast have all really enjoyed themselves. We want to say a big thank to the people of Northern Ireland for having us.”
Emmerdale stars pledge to return to Northern Ireland
Monday, June 09, 2008
By Maureen Coleman
The stars of top soap Emmerdale have vowed to bring their charity Extravaganza back to Northern Ireland following the weekend’s “incredible” event.
Up to 5,000 members of the public descended on the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum on Saturday for the Emmerdale Extravaganza in aid of the Anthony Nolan Trust.
Actors from the award-winning ITV soap gave up their free time to take part in a host of fund-raising activities, from five-a-side football to a fun run.
Several brave cast members, including hunky Matthew Wolfenden, who plays David Metcalfe, took to the skies in the Go Loopy Aircraft Challenge, while stunning Jenna Louise Coleman, who plays Jasmine Thomas, overcame her fear of heights to do an abseil.
Mark Charnock, aka Marlon Dingle, stutted his stuff on the catwalk in a special fashion show while Matthew Bose, who plays Paul Lambert spent most of the day signing autographs and posing for pictures.
Sammy Winward, aka Katie Sugden, teamed up with Jenna Louise to take part in an Army cook-off, but ended up coming last.
The sun shone throughout the day, attracting large crowds to Northern Ireland’s first ever Extravaganza.
Dominic Brunt, who plays Paddy the vet, said there was “no comparison” between Cultra and Aberdeen, the city where the event has been held in the past.
“This place is perfectly built for what we needed to get going — it has just worked out perfectly,” he said.
“The people of Belfast, of Northern Ireland, are so friendly and the reaction we have received is far better than we could have imagined.
“I think we should come here here every year until you’re sick of us.”
And Matthew Wolfenden said he too hoped the Emmerdale Extravaganza would be back in Northern Ireland next year.
“It’s been incredible here today, really amazing. Events like this are always amazing, but especially so over here.
“I think we’re hoping to have it here again next year. It’s been in Aberdeen for the past seven years so hopefully we can all come back here again next year, as long as the weather is like this.”
Chris Chittell, who plays Eric Pollard, helped bring about the Emmerdale Extravaganza with his friend George Walker.
He said: “Each year the Extravaganza just gets better and better and better and more and more of my colleagues give up their free time for the cause — the Anthony Nolan Trust and I am astounded and proud of them,” he said.
“Like Scotland, the people here are so charming and we’re having a wonderful day.”
Lurgan couple Rosemary and Cyril King said they would make it a regular day out if the Extravaganza returned to Ulster.
Rosemary said: “I’m Emmerdale’s biggest fan and it’s been great to see them all here day. It’s lovely of them all to come over and do something like this for charity.”
Claire Scott from the Ballysillan Road and Nadine Fannon from Glencarin, were delighted to meet their favourite character.
Claire said: “We both love Marlon Dingle and managed to get meeting him and get our photograph taken with him. He was lovely.”
Following the event, the stars dressed up in their finery to attend a fund-raising dinner dance and charity auction at the Culloden Hotel. A number of cast members, including Tom Lister (Carl King), Tony Audenshaw (Bob Hope) and Deena Payne (Viv Hope) took to the stage to sing for the guests.
Organiser George Walker said: “We’ve had a brilliant time here today and the cast have all really enjoyed themselves. We want to say a big thank to the people of Northern Ireland for having us.”