Celebrities to take on NHS staff in charity football match
NHS hospital staff will turn their talents to football this April when they take on a team of celebrities to kick start Bradford Hospitals’ Charity’s big appeal to improve facilities for children.
The match on 14 April 2019 at Horsfall Stadium – home of Bradford Park Avenue FC – will see NHS staff from across Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust play ex professional footballers and TV stars.
Supporting Charities FC is organising the event to raise money for Bradford Hospitals’ Charity’s Rays a Smile appeal, which aims to reach £250,000 to transform the radiology departments at Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke’s Hospital into child-friendly spaces.
West Yorkshire businesses are wanted to sponsor the NHS team kit, as well as match day programme, celebrity players and the match day ball. Organisers are also on the lookout for stalls and entertainment.
The stars who will play include Emmerdale actors James Hooton (Sam Dingle), Ash Palmisciano (Matty Barton), Mrs Brown’s Boys’ Rory Brown, David Easter from Hollyoaks (Mac Nightingale), David Kennedy (Dirk Savage), Tim Bradbury of Tiny Tim Adventures, singer and actor Ash Stevenson, Big Brother’s Ellie Young, Sky Sports presenter Tom White, Bradford City women’s captain Maisie Norde, ex professional footballers Lee Duxbury (Bradford City), Craig Armstrong (Nottingham Forrest, Huddersfield Town, Sheffield Wendesday), Darren Williams (Sunderland and England U21)
Dr Faisil Ali, histopathologist at Bradford Royal Infirmary, will captain the NHS eleven, who include doctors, nurses, health care assistants and professional clerical staff.
Hayley Collis, head of fundraising for Bradford Hospitals’ Charity, said: ”We are delighted to field a team of hospital staff for this charity match. Every penny we raise will go towards improving the facilities for children and young people who visit our hospitals for scans.
“Whether it’s an X-ray, MRI, CT scan or ultrasound – more than 20,000 children and young people visit our radiology department each year and so it’s vital we cater for their needs by creating a relaxing and welcoming space. The appeal also aims to buy kit which will allow young people to watch TV for distraction and create a snuggle room to soothe babies to sleep before procedures – all of which will help medics avoid general anaesthetic.
“Our NHS staff are hardworking, dedicated and know how to work as a team, so we look forward to beating those celebrities and raising as much money as possible!”
Any businesses, large or small, who would like to sponsor our Bradford NHS team should contact Hayley Collis or Elaine Drake on 01274 274809 or email [email protected].
If you would like to sponsor the match day programme, match day ball, sponsor one of the celebrity players or have a stall/provide entertainment, please contact Chris Moralee on 07522123700 or at [email protected] for more information.
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