AN ANNUAL New Year's Day cricket match is one of the zany antics of a group of Flixton fundraisers, who have raised a magnificent £78,000 for Christie Hospital.

Every January 1 since 1985, members of the Wibbersley and Thorne Society have donned silly costumes and staggered to Flixton Cricket Club to play in freezing temperatures or, as this year, wind and rain.

Nightwear was the 2004 theme, so they didn't need to bother getting dressed.

In the past 12 months the group has also held discos, quiz nights, a three-day charity shop, children's Christmas party, a trivia darts evening and a Hallowe'en fancy dress party. From the proceeds they've donated £5,525 for equipment that measures the performance of new anti-cancer drugs.

Rachel Daniel, Christie Appeals deputy director, said: "They may be quite mad but they're wonderful supporters of the hospital.

"And whatever they're doing they always have such a good time. We think they're brilliant. All the money they raise buys equipment for the hospital's research labs and helps to keep Christie's at the forefront of new developments in the fight against cancer."

The £5,525 was given to clinical scientist Dr Tim Ward during a presentation evening at the John Alker Club, Flixton, where the Mayor and Mayoress of Trafford, Cllr Whit Stennett and Gwen Stennett, were special guests. The Mahone Family folk band provided entertainment.

Future events planned by the society, which was started by residents of Wibbersley Park and Thorne Avenue, include a hoe down, car rally, family discos, race and quiz nights plus, of course, the cricket match on New Year's Day 2005.

Photo: With the Mayor and Mayoress of Trafford, jubilant Wibbersley and Thorne Society members present the £5,525 cheque to Dr Tim Ward, on the Mayoress's right.