KNOCKOUT FUNDRAISING MATCH FOR MANCHESTER
A CHARITY football match featuring Welsh stars Joe Calzaghe, Neville Southall and Matt Jones will be taking place tomorrow to raise funds for victims of the Manchester terrorist attack.
Last Monday, 22 people, including youngsters, were killed and 59 were injured shortly after an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena.
An outpouring of grief and support has been expressed from across the UK and around the world towards the attack’s victims and millions has been raised after the establishment of the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund.
Now, a charity football match, featuring a number of Welsh celebrities, will also raise funds for the victims and their families.
Taking place at the Vale Sports Arena, in Penarth, the match will feature former boxer and Strictly Come Dancing star Joe Calzaghe, former Wales and Everton goalkeeper Neville Southall and former Wales and Leicester City midfielder Matt Jones.
Matt Callanan, of We Make Good Happen and one of the match organisers, said they wanted to do something positive following the attack in Manchester.
He said: “We wanted to bring people and the community together and have that togetherness.
“It’s really short notice. We decided on Friday to give it the go ahead and we have a number of good celebrities on board who we are just waiting on to confirm.
“It’s going to be a nice family celebration. All the money raised will go to the emergency fund in conjunction with the British Red Cross.”
Matt added: “It’s really important that we come together as a community to show that we are together and we do accept adversity.
“We want to demonstrate something really positive and show that we’re behind the people of Manchester.
“Football and sport are a really good way to bring people together and to celebrate our differences.
Dan Sergeant, creative director of media agency Blue Stag and another event organiser, said they wanted to do something to show the power of community in Cardiff.
He said: “We have reached out to celebrities, community members and local police offers and the response has been amazing. Everybody has really come together to make this event happen.
“Through Match For Manchester, we aim to demonstrate how sport can bring people together, no matter what people’s age, background or ethnicity, and to raise funds for a community in need.”
The match takes place between 6pm and 7.30pm tomorrow.
Attendance is free but there will be a collection going round.
Visit www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/matchfor-manchester-a-celebrity-communitycharity-event-tickets-34936811945 to apply for an event ticket or visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/MatchForManchester to make a donation.