Kentish Express Ashford & District
Anticipation at Fever Pitch as first fundraiser kicks off
A new fundraising football event in the county has had a successful launch.
Guy Farmer and Chris Boxshall, both from Ashford, created Fever Pitch as a way to raise money for homeless charity - One Big Family
The duo founded Football for Funding, a non-profit football organisation that would hold a large event every year for a worthwhile charity and from that came the idea of Fever Pitch.
Fever Pitch was held at the Gallagher Stadium in Maidstone on Sunday, August 13 and raised an impressive £13,000 which will be split, with 70% going to One Big House and 30% going to the Arsenal Foundation.
The day started with a free coaching session for 30 children, both boys and girls of mixed abilities, who got to train with UEFA coach, ex-Gillingham player and former Leicester City assistant manager Steve Butler.
Then at 1pm the main event kicked off with an 11-a-side football match between the Arsenal Charity XI and the Amateur All- Eleven-a-side football match between the Arsenal Charity XI v The Amateur All-Stars Stars, a team of football friends from up and down the country, who each had to personally raise more than £300 to take their place in the squad.
After the main match, there was a Bubble football tournament where players have to wear an air filled zorb over their top half while attempting to play football, as well as a beat the keeper competition, inflatable foot darts, a bouncy castle and a ball pit.
The entertainment continued into the evening with singers Kelly Bourne and Kerrie Masters performing and Ashford magician Richard Harrington showed off his magic and a grand auction which had some great football memorabilia for offer.
Plans for next year’s event are well under way and it is hoped that it can be held at the Homelands stadium in Ashford.