This Is Your Life: Raymond Gainer

Raymond GAINER

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Raymond Gainer, disabled sportsman, was surprised by Michael Aspel - with the help of Alex Ferguson and Manchester United FC team players - while being interviewed in the club's museum at Old Trafford, Manchester.

Ray, who was born in Leigh with spina bifida, represented his school, Mere Oaks Special School in Wigan, at the annual Stoke Mandeville Games and later raised over £5000 for the school via a Paris to Blackpool trek.

Despite his disabilities, Ray learnt how to fly, sponsored by the Red Arrows, competed at tennis in the French and British Open championships, completed the London Marathon and became the Chairman of the Manchester United FC Disabled Supporters Association.

"You're kidding! I don't believe this! I don't know what to say!"

programme details...

Edition No: 910
Subject No: 891
Broadcast date: Wed 1 Mar 1995
Broadcast time: 7.00-7.30pm
Recorded: Wed 18 Jan 1995
Venue:
Series: 35
Edition: 18
Code name: United

on the guest list...

Phil Downs
Jim - brother
Reg - brother
Chris - sister
Maria - sister
Brian Kidd
Lee Sharpe
Brian McClair
Jill - wife
Mike Pyke
Brian Bootson
Jack Austin
Cathy Turner
Heather Bromiley
Steve Owens
Helen Corrish
Mike Williams
Peter Henry
Martin Keen
John Lambert
Vince Rudolph
Ian Littlewood
Tony Fenton
Lauren - niece
Debra - niece
Alex Ferguson
Bryan Robson
Denis Reeves
Julia Carr
pupils of Mere Oaks Special School
Jimmy Savile
John Rands
members of the Red Arrows
Norman Sutton
Gavin Morgan

production team...

Researcher: Sally Millson
Writer: Roy Bottomley
Director: Brian Klein
Associate Producer: John Graham
Executive Producer: Peter Estall
Producer: Malcolm Morris

names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life

related pages...

Match of the Day

tackling football's top names

The Theatre of Dreams

Manchester United's finest

The Night of 1000 Lives

a celebration of a thousand editions

John Rands

Jimmy Savile

Phil Downs assisted Michael Aspel in surprising his friend, the chairman of the Manchester United Disabled Supporters' Association, Ray Gainer, for This Is Your Life in January 1995.

Phil, a subsequent chairman of MUDSA, discusses Ray's legacy at the club - and pays tribute to two other former Manchester United subjects - Matt Busby and Bobby Charlton - in an exclusive interview recorded in August 2010.

Screenshots of Raymond Gainer This Is Your Life

Series 35 subjects