Toshiba Air Conditioning and distributor Cool Designs have joined forces to support an all-star charity football match featuring well-known TV celebrities from shows such as Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks.
The initiative will raise funds for 19-year-old Megan Sanderson, who has a rare condition called fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), which results in tendons and ligaments turning to bone in an irreversible process, severely restricting movement.
Money raised will help to buy a new powered electric wheelchair to improve Megan’s mobility and quality of life.
The All Star XI was set up 15 years ago to raise money for charities in the North East and and plays matches against other celebrity line-ups, as well as professional players. To date it has raised over £300,000 for good causes.
As well as celebrities from TV soaps, it includes businessmen and local MP Edward Timpson. Representing the air conditioning industry will be David Dunn, director and general manager of Toshiba Air Conditioning, who will be playing alongside Steve Jones, formerly of Crewe Alexandra, and former Port Vale player, Clayton McDonald.
David said: “We are delighted to be able to help by joining with Darrel Birkett and colleagues at Cool Designs in supporting this excellent initiative. It is such a worthwhile cause and will make a huge difference to Megan’s quality of life if we can achieve the aim of raising £15,000.”
Darrel Birkett said: “An important aspect of CDL’s activities is our contribution to the community - we support a number of local charities in the areas we are based. Megan has a particularly pressing need, as her existing wheelchair – on which she is totally dependent – recently broke and left her in a difficult position and she desperately needs a new replacement.”
The match takes place on 17 July at Kidsgrove AFC. Kick-off is at 2.00pm.
To make a donation please send a cheque to Darrel Birkett at CDL North East (Head Office), Unit 8 North Hylton Enterprise Park, Hepworth Road, Sunderland SR5 3JT, Tel 0191 5496964 or alternatively donate through the crowdfunding site at https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/megan-sanderson
