More than £47,000 has been donated to a children’s charity following the incredible success of a charity football match.
The fourth annual Goals 4 GOSH match played at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park Stadium featured former Premier League players and stars of social media, television and music and raised an astonishing £47,850 for Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity).
The money raised will go towards building a new Critical Care Unit at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) to improve the experience and outcomes for children who are dealing with, or starting to recover from, the most life-threatening and serious illnesses. This new unit will form part of the new Children’s Cancer Centre at GOSH, which GOSH Charity has recently launched its biggest ever fundraising appeal to help build.
Goals 4 GOSH co-founder Jamie Groves and Charlotte Styles were joined by former top-level Premier League players Adrian Mariappa, and Anton Ferdinand, plus David ‘Temps’ Templer from Made In Chelsea who all played in the flagship match to present the cheque to GOSH Charity.
The presentation took place on the site of the hospital’s new Children’s Cancer Centre, which is currently under construction and is being funded by GOSH Charity’s Build It. Beat It. appeal.
Goals 4 GOSH is supported by key sponsors Funeral Partners, where Jamie works as Regional Development Director, and Choice Funeral Plans – the company’s prepaid funeral plan product.
“It is a pleasure to keep on raising money for this fantastic cause,” he said.
“Together, we have now raised more than £158,000 for GOSH Charity since we started, something I never, ever thought was possible.
“Myself and Charlotte would like to thank every single person who has helped make Goals 4 GOSH 2024 such a success, the players, the volunteers, the supporters and match sponsors like Funeral Partners and our funeral plan company, Choice.”
This year’s match featured a star-studded lineup, including BBC reality show The Traitors stars Paul Gorton and winner Harry Clark, former Premier League and Crystal Palace players Wayne Routledge and Adrian Mariappa, internet sensations Kristen Hanby and Danny Aarons, former England Lionesses Lianne Sanderson and Gemma Davison, and BBC one Gladiator Bionic. Former Eagles manager Ian Holloway returned to lead one of the sides, adding to the excitement of the day.
In addition to the main event, in which the Pan Panthers emerged victorious over Hook’s Hippos with a final score of 5-3, the day was filled with a host of fun activities, including football tournaments for youngsters and adults, ensuring there was something for everyone.
Liz Tait, GOSH Charity’s Director of Fundraising said: “Another enormous thank you to Goals 4 GOSH for their latest donation of more than £47,000, and for their continued support of GOSH Charity.
“It is thanks to the kindness of supporters like Goals 4 GOSH that we can fund the hospital’s most urgent needs and make a significant difference to the lives of seriously ill children from across the UK and beyond.
“Last year we were thrilled that Goals 4 GOSH joined our Tick Tock Club, which is raising money for a brand-new Critical Care Unit at GOSH. This will help us provide better facilities at the hospital for children with the most serious and life-threatening illnesses.”
Jamie recently took part in GOSH Charity’s annual flagship mass participation event, RBC Race for the Kids, with his young daughter Bunty.
You can sponsor them via https://fundraise.gosh.org/fundraisers/jamiegroves/rbc-race-for-the-kids
For more information about Goals 4 GOSH and upcoming fundraising events, visit https://goals4gosh.co.uk/
