A BENEFIT EVENING in memory of the late Eddy Cox is to be held on Saturday May 30 at the Park Hotel, Tynemouth.
Eddy, also known as Eddie, passed away suddenly on December 17 of a heart attack.
PDC Tournament Director Tommy Cox has asked for the following details about the Benefit Evening to be published:
On behalf of the late Eddy Cox's family I would like to express our sincere appreciation for all of the kind words, cards, texts and floral tributes directed to us following Eddy's premature and totally unexpected death.
It is gratifying to confirm via these messages what we all knew, that a kinder, more generous and positive man would be very hard to find.
The tone of most of the messages was the joy that Eddy brought to people's lives by his understanding, reassurance and of course his ridiculously long and silly jokes.
The fact that many of those close to him were unable to attend his funeral because of the World Championship was mitigated by the attendance still being 400-plus on a bitterly cold day.
I know that anyone who knew Eddy will never forget him because he was someone who always made an impression on people and a favourable one at that.
Although Eddy's death was a total shock he had well documented health problems from an early age and therefore could not obtain health insurance in any great measure.
Although we were helpless to save Eddy from an early passing there is something positive we can still do for him and that is to help his family, in particular widow Val, financially through this difficult time.
I know that Eddy would very much have appreciated that.
PDC colleagues led by Scott Gibling started the ball rolling at Alexandra Palace with a collection in lieu of flowers and that raised a considerable amount.
We are now gearing up however to a one-off Benefit Evening at the Park Hotel, Grand Parade, Tynemouth, Tyne & Wear, NE30 4JQ on Saturday May 30 2009.
Every player I have spoken to has agreed, not agreed that's the wrong word, insisted upon being there to help and show their appreciation of the man.
So too has PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.
On the evening there will be an auction of all manner of items including darts memorabilia and autographed photos as well as other fund raising efforts.
It will also, though, be about celebrating Eddy's life, after all he did like a night out...or two.
This is a rundown of the plans for the evening:
7pm: Doors Open
7pm-7.30pm: Music and signing of the In Memoriam book.
7.30pm: Opening remarks from John McDonald, Tommy Cox and Peter The Vicar.
7.45pm: Introduction of the stars in attendance, walk on music and lights
8.00pm: Q&A with Barry Hearn and players
8.30pm: Best of three legs 1001 Challenge Darts Match between an Eddy Cox Oddfellows/PDC team and a North Shields/PDC team for the Eddy Cox Memorial Trophy.
9.00pm: John McDonald entertains
9.15pm: Stars Karaoke
10.00pm: The Cheap Suits & Jo Birchall entertain.
11.00pm: Auction
11.30pm: Presentations
11.30pm: Close - Music For Dancing
Tickets will be £5.00 each and are available by sending your name to Tommy Cox at tcox251046@aol.com. Numbers are limited and there is bound to be a big take up locally so please send your names as soon as possible.
Money will be paid on arrival but I ask you to email to reserve a ticket in order to cater for numbers.
In the interim everything we can do to raise funds will be done and we would like to ask for the help of each and every one of you in achieving the best we can for Eddy's family.
Scott Gibling is putting together an eBay sale event of any useful items and we already have Steven Gerrard's signed Champions League shirt and a fully signed Chelsea shirt with authentication available for sale.
Click here for a full list of auction items
We also have such diverse things as Concert tickets and a fully signed and framed cricket bat from the Sky Sports Cricket broadcasting team.
Most members of the PDPA have agreed to help by donating memorabilia and in some cases their time for Exhibition evenings, again for auction on eBay.
If you have any item that you think may raise a few pounds (or a few thousand pounds) then please send them to Scott Gibling at the following address;
Edward Cox Memorial Fund,
P.O Box 7737,
Derby,
DE1 0RZ
Click here for a full list of auction items
Scott will also accept cash donations at the following account;
The Derbyshire Building Society
Account name: The Edward Cox Memorial Fund Trust
Account Number: 331293804
(all cheques must be made payable to the account name word for word)
The address of the local branch where the account was opened is The Derbyshire Building Society, 11 District Shopping Centre, Sinfin, Derby, DE24 3DS.
Anything at all will be appreciated either in cash or items for sale or auction and if you have any ideas at all which we can employ then again, please let me know.
Once again everyone thanks for everything from myself, Eddy's immediate family and of course Eddy himself.
God Bless,
Tommy Cox
Available Hotels in the area:
Park Hotel, Tynemouth (Venue) - 0191 257 1406 or info@parkhoteltynemouth.co.uk (Approx cost £60 single, £75 twin)
Rex Hotel, Whitley Bay - 0191 252 3201 or reception@rex-hotel.com (Approx £50 single, £65 twin)
Grand Hotel, Tynemouth - 0191 252 3201 (Approx £85 twin)
Avalon Hotel, Whitley Bay - 0191 251 0080 or info@theavalon.co.uk (Approx £55 per room)
Windsor Hotel, Whitley Bay - 0191 251 8888 (Approx £59 single, £65,00 twin)
Cara Guest House, Whitley Bay - 0191 2530172 (Approx £30 single, £60 twin)
Numerous Hotels & Guest Houses in Whitley Bay & Tynemouth - website www.PartyInWhitleyBay.co.uk/Hotels