Corrie star Sam adds Street cred to charity event

Football Tournament and Family Fun Day for The Haven breast cancer support centre, at Todmorden High School. Coronation Street star Sam Aston with Abigail Marshall.

Sam Aston, who plays Chesney Brown in Coronation Street, swapped the cobbles for the playing fields of Todmorden as he blew the first whistle for the competition.

The tournament, held at Todmorden High School, was part of a fun day in aid of The Haven, a charity which offers breast cancer patients help, support and advice.

The day also included games, stalls and crafts.

Coronation Street star Sam Aston blows a whistle to kick off the football tournament.

The cause is one close to organiser Karen Patchett’s heart as her friend, Abigail Marshall, is currently battling breast cancer and received help from the charity.

Karen, 44, from the town, said: “I want to thank everyone for turning up and for raising money. I’m really grateful for everyone who came along.

“Everyone was really pleased to see Sam. He started off the tournament and had a lot of photographs taken with the teams and people there.”

Abigail, 44, also from Todmorden, was first diagnosed with primary breast cancer in May 2012, but last year found out she had secondary breast cancer. She said: “The day went extremely well and the football tournament was fantastic and it was great that people turned up to support the day.

“A big thank you to Karen and her husband Darrell for organising the day. Karen has been phenomenal and she put her heart and soul into it.

“And a big thank you to people who came. If it just helps one person, then it’s worth it.

“When you are first diagnosed it turns your world upside down and The Haven were just fantastic.”