Betfred winner to give late father a deserved send-off
Five hundred mourners are expected at the funeral of the self-styled 'Ginger Beer Man' George Powell who has died aged 97.
George became a legend in the Moss Side and Old Trafford areas of Manchester in the 60s and 70s, selling homemade ginger beer from his bike.
And his son Glen (pictured below, left), who has won big at Betfred, is going to ensure family man George (pictured, right) gets the send off he deserves.
Self-employed handyman Glen pocketed £20,000 from a £4 wager on Bonus King Bingo at his local Betfred shop on Chester Road, Stretford.
He's immediately booked himself a trip to George's home country Jamaica, from where he travelled to start a new life in the UK as part of the Windrush Generation.
But much of his winnings will be spent on the funeral at the Church of God of Prophecy in Moss Side, burial at Southern Cemetery and the wake at Bowden Rugby Club.
Glen, 59, said: "George was a father of five with 17 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren, so you can imagine the funeral will be quite an event - and that’s not to mention all his old customers on his homemade ginger beer round that he operated for more than 10 years from a bag on his bike.
"There's 500 people from all over, including Jamaica and the United States, all coming on September 26 to pay their respects.
"I hope to give him a brilliant send off and a wake with plenty of food which will be a special celebration of his life."
Glen, himself a father of six with eight grandchildren, said he "did a little jig" by way of celebration when his numbers 20, 21, 27, 28, 34 and 35 were drawn at the Stretford shop where he's a popular customer.
When Betfred boss Fred Done was told of Glen's heart-warming plan to splash out on his father's funeral, he decided to hand over another £1,000.
Fred said:
"They can put the money behind the bar at the rugby club and sort out a toast to George on me. Never mind rum, I think a glass of ginger beer for everyone would be most appropriate!
"This story has brought a tear to my eye and I feel so privileged to help remember a Manchester character who lived a long and rewarding life. RIP the Ginger Beer Man."
