MARV’S A LAST AUCTION HERO
Big-hearted Bartley starts his big sale
MARVIN BARTLEY is aiming to send all the Hibs fans home happy with a victory over Aberdeen today.
But if he can help bring a smile to the face of even one person affected by the Grenfell Tower disaster he’ll be satisfied.
The chances are Bartley will achieve more than that as he kicks off his fundraising auction after appealing to the sporting world for donations.
Big-hearted Bartley spoke to Record Sport in the summer of his bid to raise cash for victims of the London blaze that claimed at least 80 lives.
The 31-year-old moved to Edinburgh from Leyton Orient and was brought up in Reading – just an hour from the Grenfell high rise block.
He has been blown away by the response that included donations from high-profile former team-mates Charlie Austin and Harry Arter, legendary racing jockey Tony McCoy and world boxing champ Anthony Joshua.
Bartley will drip feed the auction items in the coming weeks, kicking off this week with Martin Boyle’s shirt from Lewis Stevenson’s testimonial match.
Speaking ahead of today’s visit of the Dons, Bartley said: “What happened at Grenfell puts things into perspective and gives you a different outlook on things.
“It’s a very difficult situation they are in. It’s not too far away from where I am from.
“I know someone who actually lived in there through a friend. They’ve been relocated, not very close to where they were.
“I like to do stuff for charity anyway so I thought if I could help in any way I would and came up with the idea.
“A lot of my friends in sport have helped me by signing stuff.
“Harry Arter at Bournemouth has helped me, Charlie Austin, AP McCoy, Kevin Long and Sam Vokes at Burnley.
“Brandon Barker has got me a signed Manchester City shirt.
“Anthony Joshua – I told him I’d knock him out! If he does read this I’m just messing around!
“Seriously, I know someone at Matchroom and I have met him a couple of times and been to watch him train so I have stayed in contract and he has signed a few pairs of gloves for me.
“It started on Wednesday with the shirt from Lewis’s testimonial which ends on Monday and it’s going really well.”
Bartley knows whatever happens on the park pales into insignificance in comparison to the tragedy in London.
But he is looking to help Neil Lennon’s side build on their 2-2 draw against Celtic last time out. They face Aberdeen today and Bartley said: “Aberdeen are a good side. It will be tough.”
Martin Boyle’s shirt from Lewis Stevenson’s testimonial is the first item up for grabs in Marvin Bartley’s raffle. Simply donate a minimum of £5 by Sunday night to be entered into the draw. Visit www.justgiving. com/crowdfunding/marvinbartley-grenfell-tower.
GAVIN BERRY