Hospice Team Scores Fundraising Success with Villa Legends
April 28, 2010
Birmingham St Mary's Hospice footballers held their own against a squad of soccer legends on Sunday, April 18, scoring 2 goals to Aston Villa Old Stars' 3 in a charity showdown in Kings Heath.
On top of the respectable score, several thousand pounds were raised for the Hospice, which provides vital palliative care to people in Birmingham and Sandwell.
The event, at The Stadium in Wheelers Lane, was organised by Hospice volunteer Kieran Lavin, whose sterling efforts in the run-up to the match ensured more than 400 people turned out on what was a beautiful spring afternoon.
It is estimated that the event raised at least £5,000 but more funds are still pouring in, with the final total yet to be announced. It is reckoned that a further £2,000 will be added to the pot.
The match itself was a nail-biting contest, with the Villa side only managing to score the winning goal 10 minutes before the final whistle.
It took the Old Star legends 25 minutes to get their first goal past the Hospice side’s dogged defence.
The match featured Villa legends such as Steve Staunton, Tony Morley and Colin Gibson. The Hospice side was captained by Kieran’s brother Martin and their two goals were scored by Liam O’Shea and Richard Healy.
After the match, a charity auction and buffet was staged at and sponsored by Vaughan's Social Club in Hall Green, with lots such as signed photographs and other football memorabilia proving popular among bidders.
Organiser Kieran said he was gobsmacked by the support for the event.
He said: “I never imagined that this event would become so popular, we just thought it was going to be a small kick about, but as more people got to know about it the more it spiralled.”
Kieran added: “But not only was there an amazing turnout, we have managed to raise an incredible amount of money for a cause very close to my heart: Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice.
“I want to personally thank all my friends who played on the day. They gave 100 percent, and along with the Villa Old Stars they made it a great spectacle.”
Kieran also thanked all the companies and individuals who made a contribution to the event, including Danny Drewry from Midlands Memorabilia, and Sean Connaughton who compered at the auction. There literally were too many people to thank, Kieran said.
Kieran got involved with the Hospice two years ago when a friend of his became a patient after contracting terminal cancer.
“After seeing how the Hospice cared for someone who I knew, I just felt I had to do something to help. The way they care for people is just incredible, they do a fantastic job for the local community,” he said.
Speaking before the match, Aston Villa OId Stars legend and former Ireland manager Steve Staunton said the Irish connection gave the match an added importance to him.
He said: “With the Villa Old Stars and the Irish connection, it’s a pleasure for me to volunteer for this important local cause, and we’re happy to do this in any way, shape of form.”
Asked who he thought were the underdogs in the big game, Steve joked: “We’ll have to wait and see what we can muster up.”
Hospice Community Fundraiser Jo Proudler, who worked alongside Kieran to help make the game a success, said: "It was such a great day. Kieran originally had the idea to organise a game, but he never envisaged it would become as big as this. It just snowballed and received loads of support."
Following the success of this event, fundraisers at Birmingham St Mary's are already considering staging a similar event in 2011.
Kieran said: “I really would like to stage this event again next year, and am already thinking about how we can make it bigger and better. After the success of this year, I’m confident it will be well supported.”
The Hospice team’s striking green kit was won in a Birmingham Mail competition in conjunction with sportswear supplier Discount Football Kits.
Since its launch in 1979, Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice has cared for tens of thousands of people with life-limiting illnesses.
And with more than 50 percent of the Hospice’s budget reliant on public goodwill, community fundraising is crucial to ensuring its highly specialised services can continue to be offered to the people of Birmingham and Sandwell.
In addition to a 25-bed Inpatient unit, Birmingham St Mary’s boasts a 20-place Day Hospice and provides community care to people who wish to stay in their own homes. The Hospice, whose running costs stand at more than £6.3 million per year, also supports relatives with bereavement preparation, physiotherapy tuition and counselling in addition to many other services.
Its nurses, often referred to by patients and relatives as ‘angels’, are renowned for going that extra mile to ensure people with terminal illnesses enjoy the best possible quality of life.
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