Dean's Charity Work

Here is a run down of Dean's charity work, again in his own words.

Megan Armstrong Appeal

Megan was probably born with the tumour that was diagnosed when she was 14 months old in March 2001, at the time Megan had only been given 4 weeks left to live. The tumour was a third the size of her brain. Megan had 13 months of chemotherapy, but that didn't work. So she then had 6 weeks of daily radiotherapy and in February 05 we found out that that had failed also. Megan underwent a dangerous operation to try to remove the tumour in April 05.

However surgery was un-successful and caused the loss of all vision in Megan's right eye. Megan is now significantly visually impaired and has slight mobility problems due to a stroke she suffered during one of her many brain surgeries undertaken so far. Megan's future is now very uncertain and following 2nd opinions from Alderhay Hospital, Liverpool, and St. Jude in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. Megan started a course of chemotherapy in July 05 which only has at best a 10% chance of cure. Therefore, now more than ever every penny we raise counts and may at some stage pay to save her life.

Having read Megan's story if you wish to donate please make cheques payable to "Megan Armstrong Cancer Appeal" You can contact us by any of the following:

Address

Philip and Sandra Armstrong
25 Appletree Drive
Castlefields
Prudhoe
Northumberland
NE42 5QJ

Other Contact Methods

Telephone: 07748 911 90
Email: mailto:philiparmstrong@supanet.com
Web: http://www.meganappeal.com

Megan underwent over 4 hours of surgery to replace the port in her chest which is used to deliver the chemotherapy that she has weekly and has been receiving for nearly 3 years now.

In June 2007 Megan was awarded a Braveheart Award to recognise the amazing courage and bravery she has shown throughout her life. Dean is very proud and honoured that Megan has been awarded this very prestiguos award.

In August 2005 I had an idea in August 2005 to drive around the North-East in a black and white Geordie Beetle to tie in with the new Herbie film which had at that time just hit our screens.

Megan and Dean next to the Geordie Beetle

Massive thanks to Alan Dodge & Paul Keighley of Benfield, without their priceless help this event would never have happened.

The days were a huge success and with the help of Jimmy France of LUK LUK Productions we raised 250.00, But the major points were the photoshoots with Newcastle Falcons and Newcastle United.

"Megan and the Geordie Beetle" DVD - Priced £3.99. This short film comprises of footage of Dean Maynard's 2 days driving around the north east in a Geordie Beetle, meeting Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons players. Intermingled with this is footage of a charity night held at the Copthorne Hotel earlier that year. To purchase this and help the appeal please visit http://www.meganappeal.com thanks.

This documentary was nominated for a Royal Television award in February 2006.

Other Charities

Dean has also represented many other Charities over the years, these include:

Dean has arranged many events for the above Charities including Football matches at Dunston F.C and Blyth Spartans, Disco`s, Dinner dance`s and large public parties at some of the regions top hotels including the Copthorne, Swallow Imperial and The Hilton, Firework displays and Christmas fete`s amongst many others.

Charity Football Match

Despite the cold weather everyone had a fantastic day when a team made up of North East celebrities took on a side from Northumbria Police at Prudhoe Town FC, the match final score was 4-1 to the police, Dean played for the celebrities and played in center midfield with Ex Newcastle coach John Carver.

Dean (2nd left, front row ) playing for the BBC Look North Football team.

Megan Armstrong Appeal - Copthorpe Hotel Newcastle

The dinner disco event that I arranged via the Armstrong family raised three thousend pounds for the Charity and was attended by over 100 paying guests.

The night included an auction / raffle and some of the prizes included a signed Elton John cap, it was a huge success.

Huge thanks to Stu Smith from Metro radio for attending this event.

I would like to thank Paul and Sarah Mead from UES Disco`s for all their help with this event.

Massive thanks also goes to Joanne from Heron print in Prudhoe for supplying the ballons and Megans table decorations.

The Tilley Lockley Appeal

Updated April 2008

Thanks to Jeremy Brown from Grand National.org who donated £200 to the Tilly fund after I beat them at the Grand National challenge in April 2008.

£60 was also donated to the appeal in October 2007 after a Ghost Investigation at Beamish Hall.

Dean with Tilly Lockey and family at the Charity wrestling event in April 2008.

Charity Wrestling

Dan Fitch the owner of MEW organised a charity wrestling event in Consett with the proceeds going to Tilly's fund.

I was asked to use my "Midas" powers and be in the corner of Mid-day Rider a wrestler who had never won, Rider went onto defeat RD Wood by 2 falls to 1 in front of a 200 strong crowd.

Thanks to both wrestlers for making this a hugely enjoyable event and thanks to Dan and everyone at MEW for allowing me to get involved for this very worthy cause.

For more information on Tilly please visit http://www.tillylockey.co.uk/

St Teresa's Hospice

St Teresa's Hospice serves people with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses within Darlington and the surrounding districts and Dean is honoured to raise funds for them.

In April 2008 over £200 was raised from a ghost hunt at the Darlington Civic Theatre, Massive thanks to manager Mr Peter Tate for allowing us to arrange the night.

In April 2009 Dean and his team raised £205.00 for the hospice with another Ghost night at Darlington Theatre.

For more information about the hospice please visit.

Red Nose Day - London Dungeons

This was a great day and turned out to be very eventful. During the day me, Phil Whyman (Most Haunted) and Emma were in and around the Dungeons collecting money for the red nose day Charity.

In the evening as part of the Red Nose day event we stopped on for a Ghosthunt in the Dungeons. Everything was going ok until we heard some kids singing "ring a ring a roses" near to the Jack the Ripper section, doesn`t sound scary but the mood changed when the manager told us the music had been switched off 20 minutes before we got there!

Thanks to the Dungeons for allowing us to collect money and the Ghosthunt.

Sophie Lancaster Fund

Dean is honoured to support the Sophie Lancaster Fund: This is from Sophie's Mum, Sylvia - Since Sophie's death on August 24th 2007, following the horrific attack on her and her partner Rob in Stubbeylee Park, Bacup,Lancashire on the 11th August, we have had lots of kind offers of support and donations. Sophie and Rob dressed in their unique way, expressing their individuality as creative artistic people.

I have consulted with both family and friends and we feel that a memorial fund should be set up for Sophie; it will be known as S.O.P.H.I.E.

Stamp
Out
Prejudice
Hatred
Intolerance
Everywhere

Dean is honoured to support the Sophie Lancaster Fund.

The fund will be run by a committee of family and close friends who knew Sophie. The aims of the fund will be to provide an appropriate memorial; a lasting legacy to raise awareness of the injustice perpetrated against Sophie Lancaster and to work towards a more tolerant, less violent society. For more information including fundraising events and merchandise please visit http://www.myspace.com/inmemoryofsophie. Or visit http://www.sophielancasterfoundation.com/.

Midas vs West Auckland AFC - Red Nose Challenge 2009

It was the battle of all battles, a Celebrity Psychic against a squad of semi-professional footballers, there could only be one winner...Couldn't there?

On March 12th 2009 on a cold Thursday night at West Auckland Town's Darlington Road ground, Psychic Dean `Midas` Maynard took on the skilltrainingltd Northern League Division one team in a shoot-off - all in aid of Comic Relief.

The result, Dean Maynard saved 65, West Auckland scored 37....a famous win for the Celebrity Psychic and former Reading schoolboy player.

Maynard said: "I am over the moon that I won, but of course the main reason for the night was to raise money for Comic Relief and I believe with donations that figure should hit around £150.

"I would really like to thank everyone at West Auckland for agreeing to this and wish them all the luck in the world for the rest of the season."

Dean saves a shot against West Auckland AFC.

Grand National Challenge: 2006 to Date

Since 2006 Dean has taken on and remained unbeaten against top online bookmakers Grandnational.org in a psychic v pro tipsters charity challenge, this has resulted in over £1,000 being raised for various charities around the UK.

See the Grand National page for more information.

Dean would like to thank Jeremy Brown and everyone at Grandnational.org for not only agreeing to the challenge but for making the donations to my nominated charities.

You never know in 2011 you might actually beat me ;)

For more information please visit here.

Grand National

Independence 4 Disability - Halloween 2010

Independence 4 Disability is a charitable trust founded in 2004 to support and assist families living in Weardale with children with special needs.

Any family in Weardale who has a child with special needs can apply for a grant to help the child/children get the most out of life.

Independence 4 Disability was founded by Alistair and Helen who both have sons with lifelong disabilities. Jake has cerebral palsy and other associated difficulties and James has an autistic spectrum disorder and learning difficulties. The boys are the inspiration behind this group.

On Halloween night in 2010 Dean and his team helped the charity raise �650.

For more information on the charity please visit http://www.independence4disability.com/

Independence 4 Disability

Butterwick Hospice Ghost Hunt - November 2010

Mary Butterwick OBE, lost her husband John to cancer in March 1979. At that time there was no support network in the North East for those suffering from life limiting illnesses and no real advice and support for the family they left behind.

Today Butterwick Hospice Care helps up to 200 patients and their families each day. Now expanded into a purpose built hospice in Stockton on Tees and another Hospice in Bishop Auckland from where the organisation provides services throughout the North Tees and Durham Dales PCT areas.

October 1998 saw the opening of Butterwick House Children's Hospice which provides care and support to families across the North East.

On Friday 12th November 2010 Dean was asked to run a ghost hunt for the hospice, the very eventful night (see the ghost reports page) went on to raise £250.

For more information on the Butterwick hospice please visit http://www.butterwick.org.uk.

Butterwick Hospice Ghost Hunt

Dean 'Midas' Maynard's work is for entertainment purposes only

Disclaimer: Please note that Dean offers tips but cannot guarantee the results. All gambling is at your own risk and Dean 'Midas' Maynard cannot be held liable for any money lost as a result of following the tips. By using tips from this website you are deemed to have accepted this disclaimer.