Kasper’s gloves and Jamie’s boots net £13k for Foundation
AN ONLINE auction for Leicester City’s newly-named Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation has raised almost £20,000 for good causes across the city and county, as the club continues to pay tribute to its late chairman.
The fund-raiser, which the club launched this week along with the announcement of the former LCFC Foxes Foundation’s new name in honour of the sadly mourned Khun Vichai, has generated £19,708 in just a few days.
Three items were sold in the auction, where supporters were invited to e-mail the club with bids.
They included the boots star striker and Foxes favourite Jamie Vardy wore, with Khun Vichai’s name embroidered on them, during City’s emotional victory away at Cardiff City last weekend.
A Leicester City spokesman said: “They went for an astonishing £9,008.”
One lucky fan also purchased the use of Vardy’s executive box, which seats 10 people, for today’s poignant Remembrance fixture against Burnley – the first game back at the King Power Stadium since helicopter disaster.
The auction also included a pair of Kasper Schmeichel’s goalkeeping gloves.
The City spokesman said: “Kasper Schmeichel’s gloves fetched £4,000.
“Meanwhile, Vardy’s executive box for the Burnley game on Saturday was also up for auction and raised £6,700.
“The package includes a four-course meal, drinks and a personal visit by the striker. In total, all three items fetched an incredible £19,708 – all of which will go directly to The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation.
“Under its new name, the foundation will continue to use football as a force for good in the community in a way that reflects the generosity, care and love of the club’s late chairman.”
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 former LCFC Foxes Foundation raised almost £2 million for local charities since its formation in 2011/12.
It has helped fund a renovation of Leicester Royal Infirmary’s Children’s Outpatient Ward, and life-saving equipment desperately needed by the Children’s Intensive Care Unit.
Khun Vichai’s generosity saw him make more than £4 million in personal donations to local hospitals, universities and charities in recent years.
Leicester City have planned a unique programme of commemorative events for today’s match, including tributes to Khun Vichai – and remembering the fallen from the two world wars and other conflicts.