Ex-Cats skipper signs for hospice
A former Black Cats captain is the latest well-known face to lend his support formally to St Benedict’s Hospice in Ryhope.
Gary Bennett played 369 league games, scoring 23 goals, over 11 years and appeared in the 1985 Football League Cup Final and the 1992 FA Cup Final.
He was also voted the club’s player of the season for the 1986–87 and 1993–94 seasons and more than 21,000 people attended his testimonial match at Roker Park against Rangers in July 1993.
Nowadays, Gary can be found delivering matchday commentary on BBC Radio Newcastle, he is heavily involved with the Show Racism the Red Card campaign where he is also an ambassador, and coaches across the
region with a host of footballing initiatives that he has cofounded.
He joins the hospice ambassador line-up alongside Team GB runner Aly Dixon, original Calendar Girl Tricia Stewart and TV personality Denise Welch.
Gary said :“I’ m really proud to have been asked to lend my support to St Benedict’s Hospice. I have personally known so many people who have needed the help of the hospice and if I can do anything to help them out in return, then I will.
“It’s really important right now that we all try and help support local charities and I know the challenges that St Benedict’s are facing are huge.
“The staff here are amazing and make such a difference to so many people’ s lives.”
The charity hopes the addition of Gary will further increase its reach across the city and that this will, in turn, encourage more supporters to get involved – go to www.stbenedicts.co.uk/fundraising to see what you can do to help.
St Benedict’s Hospice matron Kirsty Wright said: “We are delighted to have such a well-known face from across the community lend his support.
“At a time when we need the support of the public more than ever, having Gary involved will help continue to spread the word of the work that my amazing team here at St Benedict’s Hospice delivers to the whole region each and every day.
“Gary is a true ambassador for the city of Sunderland and we can’t wait for a time when it’s safe for him to come in and meet all of our patients faceto-face.”