Footie fundraiser for Children in Need

Being organised by Jason McPeake, a customer advisor with the Ballymena branch of Halifax, it will see the ‘Pudsey Allstars’ take on ‘Pudsey Athletic’ in a fabulous fundraiser on Sunday, May 24.

Each year, the building society encourages staff to fundraise for their chosen charity which is BBC Children In Need.

Rising to that call, Jason has gathered an enthusiastic bunch of amateur players - made up of his friends and family - to join in an 11-a-side game of football.

He says: “The players themselves are gaining sponsorship/donations from their family and friends and paying a fee towards the charity to even take part in the game.”

As organiser, Jason is also approaching local businesses for support.

He said: “Quite a few have helped and have offered to donate towards the match.

“The reason each contribution is vital is because Halifax has said they will offer ‘matched funds’ for the event. This means that whatever we raise they will double for the charity.”

The list of supporters/sponsors is growing all the time and so far the event has attracted four main sponsors to whom Jason has extended thanks - Ballymena’s Flex Fitness, and personal trainer, Ricky Higgins, who are each sponsoring one of the football strips, and also, pro-direct.com; and Laird Law, a male groomer at Code Red in Ballymena.

Jason would like to hear from any other local businesses or individuals who would like to support the event with a donation or sponsorship and can be contacted by telephoning 07756785574.

His aim is to raise between £1,500 and £2,000 between now and May 24 which would then be matched by Halifax to make quite a tidy sum for Children In Need.

All the action will kick off at 12noon on that date and Jason says spectators would be most welcome.