Generous Jamie auctions executive box for City charity
STRIKER AND KEEPER KASPER RAISING FUNDS FOR CLUB FOUNDATION
A GROUP of Foxes fans will be watching Leicester City’s home game against Burnley on Saturday in the comfort and luxury of Jamie Vardy’s executive box at the King Power Stadium.
The striker has auctioned off his box, which seats 10 people, to raise money for the football club’s charity.
It follows the announcement that the LCFC Foxes Foundation has been renamed The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation in honour of its late chairman and owner, who died in a helicopter crash last month.
The auction package includes a four-course meal, drinks and a personal visit from the striker after Saturday’s 3pm fixture.
Jamie’s wife, Rebekah, tweeted: “Jamie and I are auctioning off our executive box including hospitality and personal visit from Jamie.
“All proceeds will go to the Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation.”
Other items up for auction will be the boots, with “Khun Vichai’’ embroidered on to them, which Vardy wore during City’s emotional 1-0 Premier League victory over Cardiff City at the weekend.
Kasper Schmeichel will also be auctioning a pair of his goalkeeping gloves to raise money for the foundation.
The footballers are among 18 members of the City squad who have just returned from Thailand after having paid their respects to their much-loved chairman – affectionately known to them as simply “The Boss’’ – at his funeral in Bangkok.
The Burnley game will be the team’s first home fixture since the helicopter crash outside the King Power Stadium after City’s game against West Ham on Saturday, October 27. Four other people – Nusara Suknamai, 32, an assistant to Mr Srivaddhanaprabha, Kaveporn Punpare, 33, a personal assistant who was employed by the football club, pilot Eric Swaffer, 53, and his girlfriend and co-pilot Izabela Roza Lechowicz, 46 – also lost their lives in the crash.
The 60-year-old, who took over the club in 2010, gave more than £4million in personal donations to local hospitals, universities and charities across the city and county in recent years. Since its formation in 2011/12, the foundation has raised a further £2million for local charities.
It has helped fund a renovation of Leicester Royal Infirmary’s Children’s Outpatient Ward, and lifesaving equipment desperately needed by the Children’s Intensive Care Unit.
A Leicester City spokesman said: “The LCFC Foxes Foundation aimed to use football as a force for good in the community. Under its new name, The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation will continue to build on that life-changing work in a way that reflects the generosity, care and love of a man who made over £4million in personal donations to the city’s universities, hospitals and charities in recent years.”
Among the causes supported by the Foundation since it was first formed in 2011 are the Leicester Hospitals Charity, the city’s Loros hospice and Rainbows Children’s Hospice, in Loughborough.
Funds have also paid for the installation of life-saving defibrillators in key areas around Leicestershire.
Bids for Vardy’s executive box match day experience, his boots or Schmeichel’s gloves, can be made by e-mail. Fans will need to include their full name, contact telephone number and the amount that they would like to bid on the item.
To follow the auction, including details of the latest and highest bids, visit the Leicester City website.
Successful bidders were to be notified by 10am today.