A hospice has been overwhelmed by the support of a charity football match starring Wrexham FC legends who will be taking on a team of soap stars.
Nightingale House Hospice is set to benefit from the cash raised at the game which kicks-off at 3pm at the Racecourse ground on Saturday.
The match is being sponsored by the Frankie and Benny’s restaurant at Eagles Meadow shopping centre in Wrexham.
They are also backing an appeal for memorabilia to help celebrate the 150th anniversary of Wrexham Football Club.
The shopping centre is organising a pop-up museum, backed by club legend Joey Jones, which will be open from Thursday, May 29 until Saturday, May 31 at Eagles Meadow.
Speaking about Saturday’s Soap stars match Nightingale House Hospice area fundraiser, Chris Andrews, says he is delighted the hospice has been named as the local charity partner for the game.
He said: “It’s a wonderful day and a fabulous event and we are delighted we will receive a percentage from the sale of tickets as well as having the opportunity to have collection buckets in and around the stadium.
“We have to thank Frankie and Benny’s Eagles Meadow for their support as part-sponsors. It means a lot to us as we need to raise more than £2 milion annually just to keep our doors open.
“We receive just 19% of our annual costs from the health board and need to raise the rest ourselves. So every little helps and I’m sure it will be a great match and a fantastic day.”
The game’s main charity beneficiary, Once Upon A Smile, was set up by Emmerdale actor Danny Miller and fellow soap actor Daniel Jillings to support families that have suffered the loss of a parent or child from a terminal illness by offering respite breaks and financial support.
The Soap stars team will include Waterloo Road stars Dean Smith and Cel Spellman as well as MTV’s Ex on the Beach stars Ashley Cain and Marco Alexandre and Rhyl pop star Kameelion, who has just released a single with Lilly Allen and urban artist Click 22.
The Wrexham Legends team, which will be out to avenge last year’s 5-4 defeat, includes heroes such as Andy Morrell, Mickey Thomas, Lee Jones, Steve Watkin and Karl Connolly as well as lifelong fan and Sky Sports News presenter Bryn Law and of course, Joey Jones.
Frankie and Benny’s Eagles Meadow manager Peter Cross is thrilled to be supporting the event along with the company’s restaurant across town at Plas Coch.
He said: “We try to help Wrexham charities and Nightingale House Hospice in particular, as much as we can. It’s going to be a cracking occasion and I’d encourage any football or soap fan to buy a ticket and go along and enjoy the game.
“Nightingale House Hospice, which provides specialist palliative care services free of charge to people across Wrexham, Flintshire and parts of Denbighshire, get a percentage of the gate receipts so the more people we get along for the game the more they will receive.”
Peter added: “Having managed the Frankie and Benny’s restaurant here at Eagles meadow since it opened I know how much the town’s football club means to Wrexham.
“And as well as this weekend’s charity game I think the pop-up Wrexham FC museum at Eagles Meadow is a fantastic idea and it certainly has my support. If fans get behind it I’m sure it will be a real success and something we can all be proud of.”
Wrexham legend Joey Jones, who is now Wrexham’s youth team coach and reserve team manager says the pop-up museum, which also has the backing of the Wrexham Supporters’ Trust, is a great idea.
Joey, who at 59 will be one of the senior members of the Wrexham Legends team, said: “It would be great to see just what memorabilia fans have tucked away in their cupboards whether it’s some long-forgotten programme, match tickets or one of those old rattles that were all the rage when I was a lad.
Eagles Meadow manager Kevin Critchley is delighted Frankie and Benny’s is one of the sponsors for this weekend’s game and is keen to help fans celebrate the football club’s 150thanniversary in style.
He said: “The football club is woven into the fabric of the town and we know just how much the club means to so many people in the area. Wrexham folk are passionate about the club and we want to help play our part in the celebrations of the club’s 150th birthday.”
“I’d ask all fans to have a look at any historical items or memorabilia they might have at home that would be of interest to other supporters.
“We’re looking for all manner of interesting artefacts including photographs, posters, football shirts, balls, clothing and equipment. We’d also love to see any cups, medals, sashes, certificates that may be out there.
“If they can loan it to us we will put it on display for the three day’s at the end of May that the museum will be open.”
He added: “I’d also like to wish everyone connected with this weekend’s charity game well and I hope it raises a great deal of money for both Once Upon A Smile and Nightingale House Hospice.
Tickets for the Wrexham Legends V Once Upon a Smile Charity FC are on sale now at soapstarsoccerstar.com, with adults priced £8 and children and concessions £5. Alternatively you can pay on the gate.
Fans who have any memorabilia they would like to share should ring 07970 318081 or email [email protected] and meanwhile, the Supporters Trust website will be available soon, if you have any artefacts you can either photograph or scan, then please e-mail them to [email protected]
