Former Brighton and Hove Albion skipper Guy Butters and local comedian Joe Wilkinson captained teams in a charity football match in aid of Rockinghorse.
The Worthing Football Stadium welcomed 1,000 people on Saturday to watch a charity football match in aid of Rockinghorse Children’s Charity organised by Brighton publican Brett Mendoza.
Brett, landlord of the Caxton Arms in Brighton, and his wife Helen, are a tireless fundraisers for the local children’s hospital charity, supporting them following the help their family received when their children were born.
Their 16-month-old twins, Theo and Tillie, spent the first two months of their lives in the Trevor Mann Baby Unit in Brighton and continue to need specialist care at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital.
This latest fundraiser saw former Brighton and Hove Albion players and celebrities coming together to play 90 minutes of fantastic football and raise over £17,000 in the process.
The Brighton Legends team was headed by former Brighton & Hove Albion skipper Guy Butters along with a squad of ex-Albion players including Gary Hart, Bas Savage and Dean Cox.
Their opposition on the day, The Rockinghorse Allstars, was captained by comedian Joe Wilkinson and featured other well-known comedians and actors including Maisie Adams, John Richardson, Kiell Smith-Bynoe and Matt Baynton.
Former Rugby Union player Joe Marler, Traitors star Paul Gorton, local chef Steven Edwards and BAFTA Award winning writer Neil Forsyth added their skills on the pitch to the Allstars team and give the former professional players a run for their money.
It was a tense match with lots of action at both ends of the pitch. Towards the end of the 90 minutes, the Rockinghorse Allstars brought their whole team of 26 players onto the pitch, but this couldn't stop the Albion Legends from sealing a 5-3 victory!
Captain of the victorious Albion Legends team Guy Butters said:
“It’s been a great day today and a great match. There was some stiff competition on the pitch but knowing that it’s all towards a fantastic cause is the most important thing.
“Thanks to all the spectators who bought a ticket to come along today, and thanks to all the players from both teams for giving the crowd such an enjoyable game to watch!”
After the match Helen said:
“We are so, so proud and amazed that we have been able to raise so much money for Rockinghorse and the incredible work they do with the Trevor Mann Baby Unit and The Royal Alex.
“We can’t thank them enough for everything they have done for us so to be able to give back a little bit is incredible.
“To raise almost 17k, is beyond our wildest dreams. We’re amazed and blown away so thank you to everyone who has played, attended or donated today.”
The money raised will go towards helping other families like Brett’s who find themselves needing support at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital, Trevor Mann Baby Unit or any of the children’s healthcare settings across Sussex that Rockinghorse support.
To find out more about your local children’s charity, just take a look at the Rockinghorse website: www.rockinghorse.org.uk or call them on 01273 330044.
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