England star Jill Scott takes on new charity ambassador role

The Manchester City midfielder has agreed to become an ambassador for the Red Sky Foundation, set up in 2016 by Sunderland couple Sergio and Emma Petrucci to thank the staff at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital for saving their daughter’s life.

Jill, who started her career with her hometown club, Sunderland Ladies, will support the charity’s campaigns and raise awareness.

The charity wants funds to help buy vital equipment, which could make the difference between life and death for people of all ages.

Red Sky has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to support the Freeman’s Children’s Heart Unit. It has also helped to fund state-of-the-art machinery for Sunderland Royal Hospital and James Cook Hospital in Teesside.

One of the charity’s aims is to provide cardiac care and support across the region. Their latest project is providing defibrillators.

Jill, who was recently awarded an MBE for services to football, is delighted to join the charity

She said: “I feel hugely honoured to have been appointed as a patron and an ambassador for the Red Sky Foundation.

“I am extremely passionate about the health and well being of children and I’m proud of the North East. To represent a charity of this calibre serving both babies and children across the region and the UK is a credit to everyone involved.

“I’m very keen to help raise awareness and charitable funds for the Red Sky Foundation and I look forward to joining a winning team that is making such a positive impact on so many lives.”

Sergio Petrucci said: “We are thrilled to welcome Jill as our latest patron and ambassador for Red Sky Foundation.

“She has fantastic leadership skills and is well respected around the world - I’m sure that together we can bring greater attention to the region and help generate more vital funds for the charity.

“We are always looking to join forces with businesses to help us deliver our objectives and we look forward to developing and forming new partnerships to help us make that happen.”

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