Sunday Mirror

Hope you spotted the article in today's Sunday Mirror. If you missed it here is a link to the article. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2009/03/29/support-for-manchester-city-coma-fan-115875-21237453/

I spoke to Mark on Friday, Carl's friend who will be accompanying Carl on the journey home on Wednesday along with Andy, Carl's twin brother, and he said it's going to be exciting but also quite daunting having put in a lot of hard work with maticulous planning.

Mark has said he will try to update me as and when he can but his obvious priority is Carl and I am sure everyone totally understands this, therefore updates may be sparce between now and Wednesday.

Everyone wishes you all a smooth and safe journey home.

CARL IS COMING HOME

No April Fool, honest. Next Wednesday, April 1st, Carl will be coming home. At the moment I am still trying to get more details and will update you when I can.

Thanks to everyone who has donated at collections, sent wishes and cards, donated prizes, bought tickets for the Cabaret night, played 5-a-side football with a hangover on a Sat morning etc, etc - you have all been amazing, and I am sure Carl's recovery has been boosted by the fact that there have been some fabulous people backing him and willing him on every step of his recovery.

Sell out

A huge thank you to everyone who has purchased tickets for the Cabaret Night - it is now SOLD OUT. Your support has been fantastic and it's going to be an amazing night. See you there.

Benefit 5-a-side Competition in aid of the appeal

I've received an e-mail from Alex Channon with regards to a 5-a-side competition with all benefits going to the appeal. Please contact Alex direct if you are interested or can offer to referee a game


A benefit 5-a-side competition has been organised in aid of the CARL RAMSBOTTOM APPEAL. The competition will take place at the Platt Lane Complex on Saturday 13th June with a 10-00am start. Presentation of certificates for the successful teams will take place in the Oasis Suite following the football which is scheduled to finish at 1-30pm.

Invitations are extended to any group of City fans wishing to take part.

Entrance fee is £25-00 per team with all the money going directly to the Carl Ramsbottom Appeal.

Cheques should be made payable to MCCSA and forwarded directly to myself:

Alex Channon
'Penalty Spot'
81 Milner Street
Swinton
Manchester M27 4AS

As this is a benefit competition it is hoped to obtain the FREE services of 8 Referees to control the games. Would any qualified referees out there (active or non-active) who are willing to offer their services please contact me asap.

To save on all expenses and to ensure all income goes directly to Carl and his family there will not be a buffet provided after the football.

If there's anybody out there who thinks they can raise extra money on the day by perhaps organising a decent raffle or something similar please contact me. Also if there's anybody out there who thinks they can do something to help the day go with a swing please contact me.

I am hoping to get somebody from the club or a former player to present the certificates in the Oasis Suite.

This should be a fantastic day for Blues to get together and to support a worthwhile cause.

Kind regards to all
Alex Channon

Still more prizes come rolling in

The response has been amazing for the raffle and auction prizes for the Cabaret night. We'd like to thank everyone who has donated, we really do appreciate it.

New things to add to the list:
Raffle: Signed Micah Richards framed picture
Auction: Benjani has donated a shirt from his European game

A Few Great Steps

As mentioned in an earlier post, Andy (Carl's twin brother) and 3 other friends and family members went back out last weekend to visit Carl.

Nikki Bates dropped me an e-mail to let me know the latest news. She said Carl is looking amazing and is now beginning to string words together. He has also taken a few steps unaided and also managed to walk down a flight of stairs with support. Nikki thinks he could well be walking unaided within a few weeks.

What a truly remarkable achievement for Carl in such a short space of time, and without doubt Thursday night's result in Denmark would have given him a boost as well.

I'm sure you'll all agree that Carl's recovery after such an horrific accident is astounding, and how good does he look in these photos?

Thanks Nikki for allowing me to share the pictures on the blog.

Unfortunately there is still no news of when Carl might be able to return to the UK, but if he continues the good work I'm sure it won't be too long.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK CARL, EVERYONE IS ROOTING FOR YOU.

One For The Men

MCFC Supporters are arranging a Gentleman's Morning for the last game of the season. Entertainment will be courtesy of Scouse comedian Frankie Allen and the special delights of the luscious Ay-Ling. Proceeds of the raffle will go to Carl's Appeal.
For more details go to
http://www.mcfcgentlemans.blogspot.com/

More Prizes Donated

More prizes to add to the list and another special guest -

Raffle: Pau Brasil have donated a meal for two
Auction: Joey Barton has donated a signed Newcastle shirt, and Wayne Bridge has donated his short worn at the home game against Middlesbrough which all the team who played that day have signed.
Guest: Fred Eyre - Ex-footballer, Author & Radio Presenter

Not long to go now for the Cabaret Evening... don't be disappointed, make sure you have bought a ticket!

Amazing Pictures

Andy, Carl's brother has recently returned from another visit and sent some new photos and I can't begin to tell you how amazing Carl looks in them considering they were take so soon after his recent operation.

Andy told me the operation to replace the piece of skull was a success and Carl is now able to propel himself in his wheelchair with his good foot.
Carl is currently in Dusseldorf but will be moved back to Krefeld this week.
He enjoys playing football during physio which is a really good sign and he has even managed to leave the hospital for a day out with a visit to a cafe for a capuchino and cake... another big step for Carl and a good indication that he is doing well.

As of yet there hasn't been a date set for him to return home, but Andy is going back out to Germany this Saturday (14th) and should hopefully have more news on Carl's return.

Check out this link on YouTube of some of the City Players video messages to Carl. Thanks to Marcus Rehse for the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI3Tcf4p_jw

Recent Updates

I have been rather busy at several conferences in Europe for the last week so apologies for not being able to update the blog in that time.
Quite a lot of updates for everyone on the Cabaret night so here goes:

Firstly, Paul Power, Mark Lillis and Jim Cassell are also confirmed to attend.
There will also be a member of the current squad attending who will not be travelling to Arsenal but the club has not said who! The only way you will find out is to make sure you have a ticket for the event..... get them now before it's too late!

Secondly, there have been more brilliant prizes that have been donated for both the raffle and the auction. Prizes for the auction include a signed Mark Hughes training top, a Pennant signed by both Robinho and Elano, a signed Robinho shirt. Please see details in a post below regarding bids for the auctions items if you are unable to attend on the night

Raffle prizes include 4 tickets for Lancashire Cricket Club and 2 sets of 4 tickets for an upcoming game at COMS.

Don't leave it until the last minute to get your tickets and then find out they are all gone.... GET THEM NOW!

Auction Prizes

Anyone wanting to make a bid on the auction prizes but unable to attend on the night can make a phone bid to Spike or Don

Spike - 0161 775 7500 Don - 07936 105433