Walsall Football Club shirt sponsor HomeServe, are encouraging Saddlers' supporters to bid for a special signed yellow shirt in a bid to help raise funds for Marie Curie.The shirts will be worn by the playing staff during our pre-match preparation ahead of the team’s encounter with Preston North End on Saturday, 13th September, which sees a series of special events taking place on the day to raise funds for Marie Curie.
HomeServe recently celebrated donating £1.5 million to charity partner, Marie Curie.
Marie Curie provides free hands-on care for people with all terminal illnesses in their own homes, or in one of its nine hospices, and vital emotional support for their loved ones.
Greg Reed, Chief Marketing Officer at HomeServe Membership Ltd. said: “We’re incredibly proud to be able to support Marie Curie in this manner and we’re confident both the supporters and staff will embrace the opportunity to mark this special occasion.
"With over 400 staff based in our Preston office it seemed like the fitting opportunity to bring both the supporters and staff from HomeServe together for what promises to be a poignant and passionate day in equal measure.”
Supporters attending the match are also being invited to pledge their support for a loved-one affected by illness or simply their support for the team by signing a 12ft replica of the Walsall FC home shirt for 2014/15, which is proudly sponsored by HomeServe. The shirt will be located outside the HomeServe Stand from 1:45pm on Saturday.
The giant shirt will then be taken inside the stadium and will be handed to fans in the Tile Choice Stand, where it will be passed around the stadium.
It has already travelled to the HomeServe offices in Preston and Banbury where it has been signed by staff pledging their support for Marie Curie and Walsall FC.
Meanwhile, football-mad Katie Atter, aged 11, and James Atter, aged 7 are also attending as the matchday mascots. Sadly their father Mick, who was cared for at the Marie Curie Hospice, West Midlands, died earlier this year. Katie and James will lead the teams onto the pitch with a local Marie Curie Nurse as part of the pre-match ceremony.
Lynn Wood, Fundraising Manager at The Marie Curie Hospice, West Midlands said: “HomeServe has already completed four successful years as a Marie Curie corporate partner and recently hit £1.5 million in donations. It is extremely encouraging to see that its enthusiasm is a strong as ever, with it committing to another three years and a number of fundraising initiatives planned for the match at Banks’s Stadium.
"It’s lovely to see how engaged the staff are in fundraising and the fact they are involving members of the local community like Katie, James and one of our nurses, Kevin, is brilliant.”
Supporters can ‘Text to Donate’ money to the cause via messages that will be displayed on the new big screen inside the ground. To donate £2 today, text 'GOAL58 £2' to 70070 now!
To bid for the shirt worn and signed by your favourite player, head online to: http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/walsallfootballclub/