£47k raised in Smile for Joel charity contest
More than £47,000 was raised from a celebrity charity football match in memory of two charities.
The star-studded contest at Walsall's Banks's Stadium last month saw a host of high profile names take to the pitch with glamour model Katie Price and X Factor winner Shayne Ward leading out the two sides.
It was held in aid of Smile for Joel and Compton Hospice.
Celebs who took part included Eastenders actors Jake Wood and Dean Gaffney as well as Billy Wingrove and Jeremy Lynch from the F2Fresstylers YouTube channel.
Calum Best and former Wolves player Jamie O'Hara were also in the line-ups.
The Smile for Joel charity, which helps families of people killed in homicides, was set up in memory of namesake Joel Richards, aged 19, from Wednesbury, who was killed alongside his uncle Adrian Evans, from Bilston, Patrick Evans, from Wednesbury, and 35 others in Sousse in 2015.
A total of £47,226 was raised from the match which will also be donated to the cause jointly with Compton Hospice.
Joel's mother Suzy Richards said on the day: "On behalf of Smileforjoel and Victims Support, we want to thank everyone who made this event happen and especially to Sellebrity Soccer and all the celebrities who took part.
“After recent terrorist attacks in the UK, to hear the amount raised was very emotional. We know this money will help so many families who become victims of murder and terrorism.”
After the final total was announced Sue Chance, head of fundraising at Compton Hospice said: “Thank you to everybody who turned out to support this celebrity football match.
"All of the celebrities taking part gave their time for free to raise funds for Compton and Smile for Joel, who we were honoured to team up with for such a fantastic event.
"We are delighted the match has raised £23,613 for each charity which will go a long way to supporting patients and their families living with the effects of life limiting illnesses here at Compton Hospice and out in the community."
Wayne Thomas, commercial manager at Walsall Football Club added: “We at Walsall Football Club were delighted to play a small part as the host venue for the Smile for Joel V Compton Hospice charity game. It was a truly memorable day for both charities and spectators and we are delighted at the amount it raised in total."
