Wolves former players' fund for NHS gets to £50k target
The Wolves former players' fund for the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust has reached its £50,000 target.
Set up by former captain Karl Henry to help increase the capacity at New Cross Hospital, where he received Asthma treatment as a youngster, many former players, managers and staff – and fans – have raised a total of £51,071.
“When I first had this idea to try and encourage the former players and staff to get involved and try and help New Cross Hospital, I thought maybe £50,000 was a bit too ambitious a target,” said Henry.
"Knowing what I do about Wolves as a club and the warmth and generosity of the fanbase, I should never have doubted it. Every person who has supported this appeal should feel very proud we have reached our target."
Donations came in quickly from dozens of former players, managers and staff, including Mick McCarthy, Glenn Hoddle, Jez Moxey, Robbie Keane and Wayne Hennessey.
Wolves fans also added their backing with donations, with several raffles and auctions then taking place to help boost the fund, including former England defender Joleon Lescott giving away the shirt he wore in the 2003 play-off win against Sheffield United at the Millennium Stadium.
The Wolves Former Players' Association donated £5,000 while the Wolves Foundation provided support by housing the auctions on eBay.
“Every former player or manager I spoke to had no hesitation in wanting to support the cause, even those who perhaps didn’t have the best time at the club or left in unhappy circumstances, and that goes to show what Wolves still means to them and how much they wanted to help the people of Wolverhampton," added Henry.
“The support from the Foundation and the club as a whole has been fantastic and backed up what the owners and first team had already contributed to New Cross, as were the incredible amount of prizes that were donated – there are just too many people to thank but it was all massively appreciated.
"That money has gone directly to help the NHS staff at New Cross – the real heroes – who are doing such an incredible job in looking after us and going above and beyond during this crisis.”
