19-05-2025
Star-studded south Essex charity match to raise funds for children's hospice
CELEBRITIES are set to play off against staff from a beloved Hadleigh bar in a star-studded charity football match.
Famous faces including Boyzone's Shane Lynch, presenter Linda Robson and Game of Thrones actor, Tamer Hassan will descend on Bowers & Pitsea Football Club later this month.
They will play against members of staff from Fattys Bar as part of a fundraising evening for Little Havens children's hospice.
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"We're doing the match for Little Havens but also in honour of Paul Danan, the Hollyoaks actor who helped organise last year's match and sadly passed away earlier this year," said organiser, motivational speaker and celebrity player, Matthew Riggs.
"We've got quite a few good celebrities coming down to play against the Fattys Bar team so I'm expecting it will be quite good fun.
"There's also going to be an after-match event at the bar, with 100 per cent of all takings going to Little Havens."
Community - The charity football match will take place at Bowers and Pitsea Football Club (Image: George Pizani) The match will be kicking off at 3pm at Bowers and Pitsea Football Club, with the Fattys Bar event starting at the Hadleigh High Street venue at 6pm.
Little Havens, based in Thundersley, is Essex's only children's hospice, and provides end of life care to youngsters and support to families through the most difficult time of their lives.
Support - A range of celebrities will be playing in this month's charity match (Image: Matthew Riggs) "It takes a huge amount of money to run the hospice each year and to provide care not only at the hospice but in the families' homes too," said a spokesperson for Fattys Bar.
"All services provided are free to the families in Little havens care and this can only be provided because of the donations from the local community.
"The football match was the idea of one of our regulars at Fattys Bar, Keiran Morgan, who is an ex professional football player."
Star - Boyzone singer Shane Lynch will be among the players (Image: Ian West) A range of celebrities from the worlds of TV, music, film and sport will be playing in the match on Saturday May 24.
Aron Lane, fundraising officer at Havens hospices said: 'We're incredibly grateful to Fattys Bar and everyone involved in the celebrity football match for their amazing support. Last year's event raised more than £4,000 for the hospice, which made a real difference to local families."
