Page 7 - Real Rochdale Issue 17 Spring 2023

Dave Richardson: Society group – though Dave tells us Rose

didn’t want to go at first.

man of rochdale 2022 Not letting her diagnosis stop her, she received

an NVQ in business studies and also studied
floristry: Dave’s living room is still filled with
Rose’s arrangements.

“There wasn’t a dedicated Parkinson’s nurse
then,” Dave explains. “It was going to cost
£40,000 to fund one for two years, so we met
them in the middle and raised money for one.”

As Rose’s condition became worse, she applied
to use the hydrotherapy pool at Salford Royal Dave and Rose on their 40th wedding anniversary
Hospital, where she was a patient. However,
because she lived in Rochdale, she was not “Rose sent in an application for funding from
eligible to use it. Viridor, which we found out we’d got six weeks
before she passed. She was absolutely pleased
as punch,” Dave beams. The Mayor’s charity
An alternative, slightly closer to home,
unfortunately proved to be unsuitable. – which Dave was involved in fundraising for
over several years – also made a donation to
the campaign.
The only solution was to fund their own in their
home borough and the ‘Hydro16’ campaign
was born in 2016. Rose’s legacy – now named HydRose in her
honour – will be available for people with all
kinds of neurological and physical issues to use
Pictured: Dave Richardson (right) with Mayor of Rochdale, Ali Ahmed Rose and Dave were given a glimmer of hope with fully trained staff on hand.
when Castleton ward councillor, Billy Sheerin,
Dave Richardson is this year’s Man of son David was diagnosed at birth with an said he would try and help them bring a
Rochdale: awarded the title for dedicating the adrenal condition, which improved when he hydrotherapy pool to the borough. Dave is clear that he doesn’t want anyone
last six years of his life to raising over £140,000 was one. to miss out on the benefits of hydrotherapy:
for a hydrotherapy pool in the community. “Billy showed Nick Crewe – who bought “Anyone who has Parkinson’s can apply to the
A fundraiser night at The Carlton during the Castleton baths – the plans we’d made up, and local Parkinson’s group for funding. There’s also
Humble Dave puts all his efforts down to his 1990s helped raise money for the long-running he gave them to the builder. He showed me the Rochdale Fund for Relief in Sickness, which
late wife, Rose, who passed away in March Kelly’s Kampaign, contributing towards six around the rooms at the baths, gave me the could help cover session costs.”
2021 after a 27-year-long battle with adolescent cubicles at the Christie. 14-year-old biggest hug, shook my hand and said, ‘get on
Parkinson’s. Kelly, the daughter of Rose’s best friend, had with it!’” Dave recalls. Reflecting, Dave added: “This isn’t down to just
been diagnosed with a rare type of cancer: at one person. We filled halls on numerous
Indeed, upon receiving the Man of Rochdale the time, there were only children and adult occasions and it’s down to those people, those
plate bearing the names of all the forebearers, wards. who attended. The Rochdale Freemasons
Dave said: “I must dedicate this to my wife.” donated towards funding the disabled toilet;
The husband-and-wife-team also helped Fred Eyre is a patron; Jimmy Cricket’s Wooden
They met on a night out at the Derby Hall in looked after disabled children and provide Hut Club of old entertainers all came to the
Bury when a 19-year-old Dave asked Rose, respite care through Take a Break, taking the functions. If people didn’t come, we wouldn’t
then 17, to dance. They were engaged in 1966 children on trips to pantomimes and the Blue have the fundraisers.
and married in 1970 before having three Planet aquarium.
children – David, Linsey and Steven – then “There’s so many people we owe thanks to; it’s
three grandchildren; Will, Max and Nell: Nell “I was Father Christmas a couple of times,” all because of them and Rose.
being born the day after Rose passed away. Dave says. “You get more out of it when you see “Rose and I were a team together in the
the people you’re doing it for.” fundraising.”
Over the years, the couple helped raise over
£300,000 for various causes, including the Rose was diagnosed with Parkinson’s when she HydRose at Castleton Health and Leisure
Pendlebury Children’s Hospital in 1972 after was in her 40s and joined the local Parkinson’s Dave and Rose on their wedding day in 1970 Centre is expected to open in late spring.
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