A local lottery winner was in South Church on Saturday, August 16th, to see one of his dreams become reality.
Gary Henry provided £23,000 of funding, which was coupled with £20,000 raised by the council, to open a five-a-side pitch in the town.
At 1.00pm Gary unveiled a plaque at the official opening of the Gladys Mary Henry Memorial Pitch, named after his late mother.
Gary, along with South Church residents’ association founder member, Deputy Chair of the Parish Council and Dale & Valley Homes board member, Nigel Rowley, secured a £20,000 grant for the project from Wear Valley District Council in 2007, however, this wasn’t enough to complete the project.
It was at this time that Gary joked that if he won the lottery, he would provide the rest of the money needed.
Amazingly, Gary and his wife, Ann, who ran a burger van at Tindale Crescent, did indeed win the lottery, bagging a fantastic £4,493,783 in September of last year, and the couple kept their word.
Nigel, who will run the facility, said, “South Church had nothing at all for the youth and kiddies. Gary dropped in and said this was what was going to happen. He always said when he won the lottery that South Church would get something and he stuck to his word.”
The pitch will be open from around 9.00am to 9.00pm every day for families and groups of friends to enjoy without the need to book.
In the future, Mr Rowley is hoping to set up teams and run competitions at the pitch. Gary also proved recently that his generous nature doesn’t end with handing out cash, giving up his time and energy to build a fence for a local lady.
Pauline King, of Cheshire Place in Henknowle, lives next door to Gary’s uncle, and when Pauline joked with him about her garden fence recently, the millionaire was more than willing to help.
He came to measure up a few days later before building her a new fence the very next day.
“Many thanks Ann and Gary for your kindness shown to a new fence,” said Pauline.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
