Sheffield United fundraise for China Earthquake Appeal
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25 July 2008
Football team Sheffield United will get at least one great result this summer – helping the British Red Cross raise funds for its China Earthquake Appeal. | |
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The Championship team – popularly known as the Blades – have invited up to 50 Red Cross volunteers to fundraise at four busy pre-season matches at Bramall Lane, their home stadium. The team will also play all their 2008 pre-season games in shirts featuring a China Earthquake Appeal slogan. | | |
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Even more impressively, the Red Cross’ China Earthquake Appeal is also set to benefit from the England v Germany Legends game (7 August), which will be broadcast live on television when the teams meet at the Sheffield stadium. The game will feature former Premiership stars Bryan Robson, Stan Collymore and John Barnes, and television rights could raise up to £30,000 for the appeal.
Sheffield support | |
| So why such enthusiastic support? Sheffield United’s sister club – Chinese Premier League side Chengdu Blades – are based in the Sichuan province, where nearly 70,000 people lost their lives in earthquake.
Kevin McCabe, chairman of Sheffield United, said: “We hope not only to raise a significant amount of funds for the appeal but also help raise its profile across the continent. | | |  | |
| "This is the first time United have made such a gesture to a global charity and continues the club’s support for China and our sister club Chengdu Blades.”
Former Manchester United star Lee Sharpe also welcomed the Legends’ support for the Red Cross, saying: “China's earthquake caused huge devastation to hundreds of thousands of people. Knowing that this match will help support the Red Cross and its vital work in China is another reason why I'm part of Legends.”
Emergency relief
In May, staff from Chengdu Blades became aid relief volunteers to help local people recover from the biggest disaster to hit China for 30 years.
Club directors Tony Xu and Ma Mingyu, along with 15 members of staff, visited the earthquake epicentre to distribute tents, clothes, umbrellas, water and food. With so many people short of clothing, they also distributed more than 5,000 Chengdu Blades and Sheffield United football shirts.
To buy tickets to the Legends match, call the Bramall Lane Box Office on 0871 222 1889 or book online through See Tickets.
More about the China Earthquake Appeal
Learn first aid
History of the Red Cross | |
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