How charity match will help Alder Hey

Organised by the Liverpool FC Foundation, the Reds' official charity, the March 29 event at Anfield will bring together two teams of stellar players each selected and captained by Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.

Guests will include the likes of Xabi Alonso, Thierry Henry, Dirk Kuyt, Pepe Reina, Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres, and first-team stars not on international duty and young talents from the Academy can play their part.

Tickets for the match sold out in no time, with the proceeds generated set to help fund the foundation's community programmes and a number of local charities, such as Alder Hey's new Hospital in the Park.

Liverpool FC and Alder Hey, one of the busiest children's hospitals in Europe, have enjoyed a very special relationship for more than 20 years, while Gerrard and Carragher are both patrons of Alder Hey Children's Charity.

Its NHS Foundation Trust provides care for more than 275,000 children and young people every year, with the hospital a specialised centre for a variety of crucial and life-saving treatments at regional and national level.

The Liverpool manager and first-team squad make an annual Christmas visit to Alder Hey's wards to bring a festive smile to the faces of patients and their families, no matter where their football loyalties lie.

Players from the Reds' Academy and Ladies sides are regular visitors to the West Derby complex, and several lucky patients have been treated to a trip to Melwood, all helping to make the club part of the Alder Hey family.

Now funds raised by the All-Star charity match will help the Alder Hey Children's Charity's £30million appeal to provide a new hospital, due to open later this year, with higher specification equipment, fund art and play activities and support research.

Clare White, director of Alder Hey Children's Charity, said: "We are delighted to be chosen as one of the charities to benefit from such a fantastic event.

"Alder Hey is set to open the doors to its new hospital and charitable donations will help us to make it one of the best children's health facilities in the world.

"Alder Hey has a long-standing partnership with Liverpool Football Club and we are incredibly grateful to all the LFC family for their continuous support. Together we can make a difference to thousands of children and young people in the city of Liverpool and beyond."

Liverpool legend Carragher said: "I spent the first few weeks of my life in Alder Hey so they have a really special place in my heart.

"I've been lucky to be able to visit the hospital many times over the years and hopefully help cheer up some of the patients and their families.

"The children are fantastic and so brave. Some of them are facing real challenges and difficult times but the way they deal with things is an inspiration.

"The city of Liverpool is incredibly lucky to have Alder Hey on its doorstep and the new hospital will be fantastic. I'm extremely proud to be able to support Alder Hey in any way I can and hope football fans across the city can do the same."

For more information on Alder Hey Children's Charity, click here.

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