The Olive Lawrence Memorial Trust made its annual charity donations at The Club in Hanley, Stoke on Trent on February 14th. This year the beneficiaries were Ward 70 and Staffordshire Buddies. After a spontaneous friendship had sprung up between the Club’s co-owner John Wain, (a.k.a.Miss Ruby) and Danny La Rue whilst doing business over sets of Jewellery last year, they found they had many things in common and kept in touch. Danny loved John’s jewellery and it was after another recent purchase that John asked a favour of Danny. Would he come up to Stoke to present the cheques to the two charities? Danny had no hesitation in saying yes...
You could have heard a pin drop when Danny called for quiet to listen to what he had to say about his own experiences of friends becoming sick and dying of AIDS. He said that when a friend died he never removed their name from his address book because he felt that if he did then they would truly be forgotten.

The presentations were preceded by a champagne buffet in the Club’s comfortable upstairs bar. Here, nurses from ward 70 and the representatives from Staffordshire Buddies, were able to relax and talk with the owners of the club and with Danny.

Stoke-on-Trent is very fortunate to have people like John, his partner Richard and manager Paul who are sincerely dedicated to helping people living with HIV and AIDS.

Danny clearly enjoyed his visit and when he asked if the audience would support him if he gave a performance at the Club for charity, there were was a resounding shout of “YES!”. We look forward to being able to bring you news of this coming event .

Bob