Derby day showdown to raise charity funds

Members of Wolves All Stars and West 'Tomwich' Albion – named after their player-manager and Baggies fan Tom Priest – are playing a game at Hednesford Town's Key Park ground on Sunday (2pm) to raise funds for Stillbirth and neonatal death charity SANDS after a friend of Priest suffered a still-birth.

Former Wolves star Jody Craddock met up with Molineux season ticket holder James Gill, whose wife Reena went through the trauma of losing their baby last year.

Craddock agreed to donate a signed piece of his artwork for the raffle and signed Gill's Wolves tie to also auction off after the game to raise money for their SANDS fund, which now stands at £2,000. They are hoping to double that with the proceeds of the game.

Both families have suffered tragedies. The Gills' baby was born on May 19 and was named Sofia.

In 2002 the Craddocks' four-month-old son Jake died from suspected cot death.

"Jody and his wife Shelley went through something very similar to me and Reena," said James.

"He's a lovely bloke. He signed my Wolves tie and donated a signed print of a piece of his artwork for the raffle."

The game was the brainchild of Priest, who is a close friend of James, aged 33 from Sedgley.

"When Tom heard about how SANDS had helped us, he said he wanted to arrange a match to raise money for them, and I was delighted," said James.

James works as an educational consultant and his employers, Tara Recruitment from Shifnal, are the main sponsors and have agreed to donate £500 to SANDS.

Wolves All Stars are hoping formermidfielder Seyi Olofinjana will play, along with Dale Rudge and Colin Taylor. Craddock can't play as he had already agreed to turn out in a charity game in aid of Birmingham Children's Hospital at Bilston Town (1pm).

Gates open at 12 noon and the kick off is at 2pm. Admission is £4 adults and under-14s are free, or a donation would be appreciated.

There is also a fundraising page, www.justgiving.com/James-Gill11