How Reds charity helps men's health

The likes of Luis Suarez, Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso and more will arrive in L4 for the special encounter between sides selected and captained by Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.

For fans, it will be a chance to watch their former heroes, as well as opposition players, current Reds not on international duty and a handful of Academy talents in action on the hallowed turf.

But the event is about more than 90 minutes of football. In the words of Gerrard: "Unbelievable charities are going to be getting support. I'm really proud and humbled to support them and so are all the other players involved."

Five local charities, including Alder Hey Children's Hospital, will benefit from the game, and we've been taking a closer look at the vital work being carried out by the organisations.

We've already seen how the Reds foundation will use funds raised to help educate youngsters in the region, and today we turn our attentions to how the club's charity has helped address men's health issues in recent years...

Established in 2005, the Liverpool FC Foundation's Men's Health scheme was a concerted response to the high levels of poor wellbeing in the local community, particularly those in male residents over the age of 18.

With a remit of helping to introduce men to a fitter lifestyle and confronting key factors contributing to poor men's health, the scheme set about arranging specifically targeted sessions in the local area.

Problems like poor diet, obesity, heart disease and low physical activity levels are now tackled daily by the programme, while important messages about cancer prevention, alcohol and drug awareness and mental health and wellbeing continue to be spread.

More than 7,000 men benefit from the programme each year and the scheme was acknowledged as the leader in its field by a Barclays Premier League study in 2012.

Aside from general men's health courses, the foundation carries out one-off health talks, cookery courses, circuit sessions, cycling events and workplace health programmes.

In May 2013, the Men's Health scheme featured on Match of the Day 2, when a clip including Lucas Leiva and Reds legend Phil Neal appeared on the BBC programme.

Later that year, in partnership with Laughterhouse Comedy, participants of the Men's Health programme were given the chance to take to the stage and try their hand at stand-up comedy.

Click here to download the latest Men's Health leaflet. For more information on projects and services, contact Christine on 07999 857272 or email menshealth@liverpoolfc.com.

If you are in the UK and would like to donate to the Liverpool FC Foundation and nominated charities by text then please text YNWA15 followed by the amount you are donating to 70070. You may give £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10.*

Example of text message: YNWA15 £10

You will receive a thank you text with a link to gift aid your donation. If you're not in the UK and would like to donate, please visithttp://foundation.liverpoolfc.com/get-involved for information.

*Texts are free and your donation amount will be deducted from your mobile phone credit or added to your monthly phone bill. The charity will receive 100 per cent of your donation. You must be 16 or over and please ask the bill payer's permission. For full terms and conditions and more information, please visit www.justgiving.com/info/terms-of-service.