A CHARITY football match featuring celebrities from the world of TV, entertainment and sport has netted about £2,000 for Libby Mae’s Little Angels.
Among those turning out for an Arsenal select XI were X-Factor and I’’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here star Jake Quickenden and The Royle Family star Ralf Little.
They took on the Bromsgrove Sporting Darts team over the Easter break in front of a decent crowd which braved showers between bouts of sunshine at The Victoria Ground.
In the match itself, Arsenal were outright winners taking the game 7-2.
The Gunners went ahead after three minutes thanks to a goal from Quickenden and then Giles Alderson, of The Damned United fame, added a second with 24 on the clock.
Bromsgrove pulled one back from Nick Lawley to make it 2-1 going into half-time.
In the second half, ex-Arsenal star Omer Riza got on the scoresheet before Lawley made it 3-2.
Evren Arkali (ex-Galatasaray) put Arsenal 4-2 up on the hour and then the Gunners started to dominate.
Further goals came from Riza, Arkali and Ralf Little made it 7-2.
Libby Mae’s Little Angels was set up in 2013 by local parents Richard and Charlotte Sharratt in memory of their baby Libby Mae who died after birth complications at just two weeks old.
The family now work tirelessly to equip neonatal units across the Midlands.
The squad also included Tony Murtagh (ex-Arsenal), Tommy Walsh (Groundforce), Johnny Harrison (ex-Charlton), Jamie Cartwright (ex-Stoke City), Frank Thompson (Fever Pitch), Paul Wood (football freestyler), Matt Mansfield (Big Breakfast/Dream Team) and Griff Stevens (Glue).
After the game Charlotte said the day had been great fun with the celebrities making the town their home for the weekend.
Richard added: “The match was a lot of fun and we really want to thank Andy Hall who organised it and all the stars who came to play as well as the Bromsgrove lads and all the supporters.”
He added they were hoping to hold an even bigger charity match next year.
The pair also thanked the Holiday Inn, Bromsgrove, who put the team up overnight at cost price and sponsored the game.
* A GO PINK for Libby Day is being held on April 26 which would have been Libby’s third birthday.
Businesses, schools, churches and other organisations are asked to wear something pink, hold bake sales and other charity events. Visit www.libbymaeslittleangels.com for more.
