Football fans are being offered a once-in-a-life-time opportunity to put their skills to the test against some of the biggest names in Midlands football in aid of a local charity.
Leading West Midlands charity Beacon Centre for the Blind are calling for players to join their squad and show off their footballing talent in a match against the Aston Villa Old Stars on Sunday, 18 May.
People can bid for a place in the Beacon Centre team for £25 and all proceeds will go towards helping people with sight loss in the local community.
The match will be part of a fun day organised by the charity with entertainment for the whole family, including a bouncy castle, face-painting and much more. The event kicks off at 1.30pm at Hednesford Town Football Club, in Staffordshire.
Some of the biggest names in the recent history of Aston Villa will line up for the Old Stars – legends such as Tony Daley, Paul Merson and Stan Collymore.
Jo Field, from the Beacon Centre, said: “Although the final Villa team is yet to be confirmed we know there will be some very famous faces out on the pitch with legendary skills to match.
“If you’re a keen footballer it’s an opportunity not to be missed and we need you – please get in touch to sign up to the Beacon Centre team so we can really show the Villa Old Stars what we’re made of!
“Every penny raised from the match and fun day will help us to support local people with sight loss live fuller and more independent lives.”
The Beacon Centre for the Blind offers a full range of facilities and support to blind and partially sighted people, including a mix of residential, day care and community services.
More than 3,000 people in the community receive support from a team of dedicated outreach workers and social groups can meet at the Sedgley centre to participate in arts and crafts, music, fitness and IT sessions.
The charity also operates seven charity shops across the West Midlands, which deliver much-needed funds through sales of quality donated items and a selection of new goods. Money raised from the shops – in Wolverhampton, Bilston, Bloxwich, Wednesbury, Cannock, Halesowen and the centre in Sedgley – supports a range of services for people of all ages living with a visual impairment.
To sign-up to the Beacon Centre squad contact Jo Filed on fundraising@beacon4blind.co.uk or call 01902 880 111.
To find out more visit www.beacon4blind.co.uk