A soap star cleans up forCarluke cause

Star...Carluke fundraiser Anita Bennie with Holyoaks actor Ashley Taylor Dawson at Castlehill Bowling Club (Submitted pic)

But the TV actor couldn’t prevent his squad losing 6-3 to their rivals in a game played at Carluke’s Moor Park to raise money in memory of Anita’s late pal Ann Graham.

“Ashley played up front and he was a very good footballer,” said Anita (46), of Unitas Crescent.

“He loves his football – he coaches the Hollyoaks team and – like myself – is a Manchester United fan.

“Everybody thoroughly enjoyed the football match. A lot of the boys – local players from Carluke – couldn’t believe they were actually on the same field as Ashley.”

Anita was thrilled with the overall contribution Ashley made to a day which helped bring to £2000 the total she raised for Maggie’s Centre in memory of best mate Ann, who died of lung cancer aged 49 in 2011.

Later on July 4, Ashley was the star attraction at an evening disco, raffle and auction in Castlehill Bowling Club.

She was full of praise for the soap star for not only playing in the match but going on to spend a whole evening with those attending the bowling club event.

The July 4 effort followed Anita’s fundraising wingwalk in England the previous week when she raised £1000.

She has now raised a total of £10,000 in memory of Ann since her death four years ago. Ann had been a neighbour of Anita’s in Unitas Crescent and the pair had helped out with Carluke Boys Club FC.