New boss is champion in charity stakes

SUNDERLAND may have got themselves a manager with plenty of Championship experience, but few fans will know they also have a tireless charity campaigner in the manager’s chair.

Simon Grayson has helped raise thousands of pounds for prostate cancer after becoming involved in the charity following the death of his close friend Steve Garbett.

He recently completed his second Football to Amsterdam bike ride, featuring Les Ferdinand, Terry Butcher, Viv Anderson, Alan Smith and Sean Davis.

“I am delighted to support Prostate Cancer UK, a charity which is very close to my heart and I’m looking forward to joining the ride for a second time in honour of my late friend Steve Garbett,” said Grayson before the ride.

“’Garby’ was a really close pal, who followed my career as a player and latterly as a manager and was always there to offer me support and advice. He was there for the good and the bad before sadly passing away two years ago.

“His brave 10-year fight opened my eyes about the dangers of this disease and I’m proud to wear my Prostate Cancer UK ‘Man of Men’ pin badge on the touchline every game to raise awareness. That man represents you, me and everyone affected by this disease.”

Grayson also joined in with Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling’s charity walk this year, as well as hosting a charity ball at which the Kaiser Chiefs were special guests.

“I arranged it (the ball) between me and my partner,” Grayson told Sky Sports. “There were only a few people who knew about it beforehand, so when I introduced them it went down a storm. It helped raise £45,000 on the night and that goes a long way.”

For more information on Grayson’s charity work, follow his Twitter account @SimonNGrayson or check out www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/simongrayson amsterdam2017