Third annual fundraising event to be biggest yet
Dancing on Ice stars Suzanne Shaw and Matt Evers are to take on professional footballers and the Great British public at The Big Match on 31 May. The all-day charity event kicks off at the Madejski Stadium, organised by Reading fundraiser and founder Neil Humphries to raise money for Action for Children and The Brain Tumour Charity.
Additional sporty celebrities and footballing legends already confirmed to take part include Bobby Davro, Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock, Ady Williams, Michael Sprott, Ben Jones and Ossie Ardiles, who will pit themselves against Reading residents, in front of crowds at the home of promotion-contenders Reading FC.
A children’s training session sponsored by professional football coaching company Pro-Cision Football Coachingwill take place before the game, in which 200 lucky budding-football stars aged between 5 and 15 from the local community and schools will be coached professionally on the majestic Madejski pitch and receive a boot bag packed with treats.
Two of Europe’s best football freestylers Colin Nell and Noel Battle will also be teaching the children how to wow the crowds and improve their skills. Entrants need to raise a minimum of £50 sponsorship to take part, with all the money they raise going to the two charities. The Big Match will also be looking to sponsor some of the youth football teams that take part to help with their community football.
“Extra Time” is also guaranteed, as its the name of the Big Match’s evening event at the Hilton, hosted by Suzanne Shaw. The night will feature fantastic entertainment, and give attendees the chance to win prizes and football memorabilia.
Neil said: “This year, we have the biggest target ever and we want to break the £100,000 barrier for the first time. The Big Match 2014 is our biggest event yet, and promises to be the most exciting and the most successful so far.”
Spectator tickets are priced at £7.50 and are available from The Big Match website and the Reading FC ticket office online.
For information on sponsorship packages and donating money, goods or services, please contact [email protected]