Arsenal ace Walcott puts his shirt on local fund-raiser

The shirt was obtained through Gary Boyd, Ballymena Borough Council’s Community Sports Development Officer.

Gary stated: “Through my football connections through scouting I was given the signed Arsenal shirt and really didn’t know what to do with it.

“After learning about the charity, through the Ballymena Sports Awards in January, I felt the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children was the ideal place to donate it.

“After speaking with the Mayor, Councillor Nicholl said he would be delighted to hand it over to his chosen charity for the year and we got in touch and asked if they could make use of it.

“They were delighted to accept the shirt, stating it could be auctioned at their up-coming fund-raising event in Belfast.”

This once in a life time charity event, will mark the centenary of the world famous Titanic. The night promises to be an evening of firsts; from the first class entertainment, to guests being among the first to experience Belfast’s newest visitor attraction “Titanic Belfast”.

Sorcha Chipperfield from Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children, who collected the signed jersey on behalf of the organisation, stated: “We will be introducing lots of fun elements to this exquisite black tie evening.

“It is a night to get together with friends, clients and colleagues to celebrate the best Northern Ireland has to offer, from style to entertainment, whilst raising vital funds to support children and families living with cancer throughout Northern Ireland.

“This shirt will go towards part of the fund-raising for this worthy cause and we are very grateful to the Mayor, Councillor Nicholl, Ballymena Borough Council and Gary.

“We hope there will be plenty of Arsenal fans attending among the 750 guests who will make the most of the opportunity to own this prestigious shirt,” she added.