Media Centre

Magic of Harry Potter brings £20k charity windfall: 14 September 2009; Councillor Mark Dowd, Stephen Woolfenden and Neil Scales seal the deal as filming gets underway. The magic of Harry Potter will provide Claire House children’s hospice in Wirral with a £20,000 windfall.

The money was paid to Merseytravel by Warner Brothers, the makers of the new Harry Potter film, for use of the Queensway Tunnel in Merseyside as a location for four nights.

Councillor Mark Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel which owns and operates the two Mersey Tunnels, said:” Claire House was chosen by our staff as our Charity of the Year – and I am delighted it will benefit from such an iconic children’s character as Harry Potter.”

The children and young people who use Claire House are aged from birth to 23 years and suffering from a life limiting or life threatening condition. The hospice offering specialist respite care so that families can take a well-earned break.

Councillor Dowd added: “These youngsters are truly special and we have developed a close affinity with them over the year they have been our chosen charity. It’s great that we will be able to end our year with such a gift.”

Neil Scales, Chief Executive of Merseytravel, who negotiated the contract with Warner Brothers, said: “We arranged for the filming to coincide with the closure of the Queensway Tunnel for routine maintenance.

“There was a confidentiality clause so we’re not allowed to discuss the filming but I can say Harry Potter weaved his magic for Claire House.”

The cheque was presented to Councillor Dowd and Neil Scales by film unit director Stephen Woolfenden on the set before filming started.

Warner Brothers have confirmed the filming was for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – the final Potter film.; Back to Media Centre