COMEDIAN Frank Carson is renowned for his generosity and he certainly lives up to this reputation when it comes to the MRI Scanner Appeal.

To date he has already pledged £8,000 to the campaign to buy a state-of-the-art scanner for Blackpool Victoria Hospital - but it doesn't stop there.

For the Irish funnyman has promised to raise even more when he returns to the Fylde for a summer season stint at Central Pier.

As Frank says: "There hasn't been a charity which has written to me and gone away empty-handed."

Last year, he raised £4,000 alone in a charity golf tournament and is hoping to repeat the event this year.

"This scanner will be for the good of such a wide section of the community, the benefits are so extensive," he said.

"And Ramesh Gandhi is a wonderful member of the community. He has done so much and I wish there were more people like him."

Mr Gandhi, director of fundraising for the appeal, said of Frank's efforts: "He is one of our greatest supporters and we are really grateful for what he has done for us."

Fylde folk are being invited to swim the channel on February 8 to raise money for the appeal - but it's not as mammoth a task as it sounds.

Entrants will instead be sponsored to swim the equivalent distance in lengths of the Lido Pool on Lytham Road, Blackpool, between them.

The event takes place between 10am and 4pm and swimmers as well as sponsors are both welcome. Forms are available on 351475 or 500779.

To make a credit card donation to the MRI Scanner Appeal contact 303142/5 between 9.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

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