The chief executive of headline sponsor WeDo Business Services has issued a rallying call to football fans to support a Legends v Celebrities match in aid of charities set up following the Manchester Arena terror attack.
Group CEO Mark Lindsay is urging fans to turn out in force for the star-studded Manchester Remembers match, which will take place at 3pm on Sunday, May 7 at Boundary Park, the home of Oldham Athletic.
Boxing legend Ricky Hatton, comedian Jason Manford, former Olympic sprinter Dwain Chambers, I’m a Celebrity winner Danny Miller, Calum Best, the son of soccer legend George Best, and Emmerdale star Jay Kontzle are among those lining up for the Celebrities.
The Legends squad includes former England internationals Nicky Butt, Wes Brown and Trevor Sinclair, as well as John Macken, Frank Sinclair and Colin Hendry.
Former England star Peter Reid is managing the Celebrities, while Sam Allardyce is taking charge of the Legends.
The event will begin at 1pm with performances by Hunter & the Wolves, a band whose frontman Lee Hunter’s sister Lisa died in the Arena attack, and Courtbetweeners, a Courteeners tribute band. Happy Mondays’ Rowetta will sing as the teams run out.
Proceeds from the game will go to five charities set up following the 2017 atrocity – The Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust, Liv’s Trust, The Megan Hurley Foundation, The Remembering Nell Foundation, and Eilidh’s Trust.
Last year’s inaugural game – won 8-3 by the Legends – raised over £80,000 for the charities, and organisers said they have responded to overwhelming demand for it to take place again, with plans to make it an annual event. WeDo was a headline sponsor in 2022 and is backing next month’s match in the same capacity.
The WeDo group has its headquarters in Oldham and additional offices at MediaCityUK in Salford, Sheffield, Bromsgrove, Swindon and Colchester. Founded in 2019 by Mark and Chris Robinson with just four staff, the group has grown organically and through acquisitions and now employs more than 100 people.
The group’s offering includes invoice and trade finance, start-up funding and accountancy, HR, back office, digital and IT services.
Mark Lindsay said: “We love Manchester. It’s where our business began, where a lot of our team grew up and the place they call home.
“As a group we support numerous local and national charities and we’re really proud to be back supporting this special event once again. It’s amazing to be able to play a small part in honouring the victims of the Manchester Arena attack and to help raise funds for charities set up in the wake of the tragedy.
“It was a terrible event which touched the whole nation, and we hope as many people as possible will turn out for the match, which promises to be a great occasion.
“The game is taking place over the Coronation bank holiday weekend and will be an ideal way for people to spend time with their friends and family while supporting fantastic causes.”
Manchester Remembers was founded by Paul Corrigan and Aaron Lee, who as a serving police officer was one of the first responders on the scene following the attack. Aaron is now a firefighter.
They said: “Manchester Remembers are really grateful to all at WeDo Business Services for their kind sponsorship of our event and all the support they give us.
“Without their backing, it simply wouldn’t be possible to put on our special event, which is carried in the hearts of so many across Manchester and beyond.
“We organised the game last year to mark five years since the Arena bombing. There was an amazing response with overwhelming demand for it to take place again and for it to be held every year after this, which we hope will happen.”
The capacity for the game is 4,999. Tickets cost £10 for adults and £5 for under-18s.
