TV APPEALS
Paul has done a total of 7 charity appeals over the years on Granada. Here are a few photos and information on some of them.
In Croney’s first major charity appeal back in 1994 he walked from Morecambe Bay to Colwyn Bay. The weather for two weeks was gloriously hot and he broadcast live from such venues as Glasson Dock near Lancaster, the Albert Dock in Liverpool and the Deeside Leisure Centre in Queensferry Flintshire.
The viewers helped him collect 72,000 pairs of second-hand spectacles which were sorted and graded and then boxed up.
With the assistance of Visionaid Overseas, a group of north west opticians then flew out to Uganda, Africa to distribute the glass to those desperately in need. It was a memorable trip and resulted in the documentary Journey’s End.
Cashflow Appeal for Water Aid for the next appeal, Paul sought the services of a mobile skip..that’s right a mobile skip. A Morris Minor 1100cc engine put in skip! The vehicle caused quite a stir as it travelled around the region..not least on the M6!The viewers handed in their old spare currency, left over French francs, Pesetas and Drachmas.
In total £72,000 was raised which enabled Croney to travel to Ghana in West Africa to build over 20 wells in one of the poorest parts of Africa.
In the subsequent documentary Wishing Well, viewers saw how their money saved many many lives and stopped Ghanaians drinking foul, diseased water and also stopped them from having to walk several hours a day to collect water.
The next appeal was 'Care In The Air' This appeal meant walking the length of the Granada Region in aid of the Northwest and North Wales Air Ambulances.
As always Paul was assisted by longtime friend, supporter & tour manager Stevie B
Each evenings live inserts into Granada Reports even featured where possible a vist from the Air Ambulance.
To this day Paul is heavily involved with the Northwest Air Ambulance based at Blackpool Squires Gate Airport.
Recently enough funds have been raised to buy and put into service afurther helicopter
In September 2006, Croney embarked on his third epic walk round the region walking 20 miles a day every day for two weeks.Together with the viewers, he collected a staggering £82,500 for a charity called the Vine Trust. The charity operates two medical boats which sail up and down remote parts of the Amazon River in Peru carrying doctors, dentists and medicines. The Vine Trust also runs night shelters to help some of the thousands of street kids.
The Granada Reports presenters even turned out daily to walk each leg with Paul to spur him on.
At the end of every walk, Paul staged a live outside broadcast from a location across the north west, and north Wales.
Featured are a selection of photos from the tour and also Paul's visit to Peru. The visit was captured on film and turned into a documentary to show viewers exactly where the cash raised went.
