Football match kicks over £600 into children's charity net
More than £630 has been raised for Wearside children's charity Hope4Kidz from a football match organised by a local training organisation.
Sunderland Engineering Training Association (SETA) instructor Ryan Graham, 37, from Sunderland, organised the event at Washington Leisure United Football Club - bringing together staff and apprentices for a Sunderland versus Newcastle match.
Ryan chose to support Hope4Kidz - a Sunderland-based charity that supports local children and families - because he wanted the money raised to remain within the local community.
He said: "As someone who was born and bred in Sunderland, it was important to me that the money went to a local charity making a real difference to local people.
"There are many fantastic national charities, but I wanted to support a cause close to home."
To encourage participation, Ryan organised the match around one of the North East's most famous sporting rivalries.
He said: "Football is massive in the North East and the Sunderland-Newcastle rivalry is something everyone knows about.
"I thought it would be a great way to bring staff and apprentices together while raising money for a good cause."
The match attracted support from staff, apprentices, friends and family members and also featured a raffle, refreshments and a trophy presentation.
On the pitch, Ryan captained the Sunderland side against a Newcastle team led by apprentice Frankie Page – with Sunderland emerging as 9-3 winners.
The Man of the Match award was presented to Isaac Price, an apprentice with Express Engineering.
Following the success of the inaugural event, Ryan plans to make the charity football match an annual fixture.
He said: "The aim is to make it bigger and better each year, continue raising money for good causes and give staff and apprentices something positive to get involved in together."
Hope4Kidz founder Viv Watts OBE “I was delighted that a local company chose our small charity to support us for their first charitable event.
"The funds will go a long way in supporting our good causes.”
She added: “Thank you to Ryan, Suzanne and SETA for organising the football match and all the apprentices, family and friends who took part.
Hope4Kidz supports children with special needs, in kinship, poverty education, sport and extreme circumstances.
Since its inception in May 2007, it has supported over 110,675 special needs children and their families.