Fundraiser for local entertainer reaches £20,000 in one week

Michael Sixsmith, from Edenfield, was recently diagnosed with incurable liver cancer but family and friends have gathered around him to raise money.

Reaching out to the Christie Hospital in Manchester, a consultant informed Michael that the only thing that could extend his life was private treatment - which costs £50,000.

Having already had a successful fundraising event at the Poplar Social Club, where he regularly puts on rock and roll nights, he has now received thousands of pounds worth of donations on his GoFundMe page.

With additional support from family members, Michael is already almost halfway to his target.

Michael and Kyla have been married for 10 years (Image: Kyla Sixsmith)

Michael said: “It’s overwhelming, it really is. I feel so humble and I am lost for words.

"Me and my wife cry every time someone comes and gives us money.

“From the bottom of our hearts thank you so much. We can’t thank you enough and I do think to myself when I beat this how am I going to pay it back.

“It is just unbelievable, and I am just lost for words.”

Having worked in children's entertainment for the last 35 years, and the last five years with his wife Kyla.

One of the schools, Woodbank Primary in Bury, is getting behind Michael's cause having arranged a night time pyjama and torch walk on August 10.

In addition, several events have already been organised including a local football team dribbling 21km, the same distance between Michael’s house and the Christie, and afternoon teas at local care homes where Michael and Kyla entertain residents with 1950s Jive.

Michael and Kyla do 1950s jive performances at local care homes (Image: Kyla Sixsmith)

Long-term friend from the Rock and Roll scene Mark Keeley said to Michael: "You are loved by so many people up and down the county and I am going to set up a GoFundMe.”

Within three days there was already £7,000 in the pot, and the total has now reached more than £13,000.

Michael’s cousin Karen Sixsmith said: “Let’s just keep going, let’s get this money so Michael can have this treatment.

“The inspiration is to give him more time. He has given his whole adult life to the area of Rossendale, Bury and Rawtenstall."

All the Sixsmith family have been huge Oldham Athletic fans since the 1950s and have reached out to the club and the Oldham Athletic podcast and hope to get a message into the first programme of the season.

The Sixsmith family have been Latics fans since the 1950s (Image: Kyla Sixsmith)

To support the fundraiser, visit gofundme.com/f/please-help-micheal-and-his-family