PLMR and their partner charity, Elizabeth’s Legacy of Hope, gave 200 football fans what may have been quite literally a dream opportunity: they were invited to play in a charity football tournament at a Premier League ground. West Ham’s iconic Upton Park was the host for the Hope Cup, which raised an incredible £22,898 – and donations are still coming in!
After its founder’s daughter lost her leg in a London bus accident when she was aged just two, Elizabeth’s Legacy of Hope was created to help child amputees in some of the poorest countries of the world. As the event was entirely sponsored by PLMR, all of the money raised will go towards the charity’s projects in Sierra Leone and Liberia, where it will have a huge and direct impact. For example, £500 will pay for a child’s prosthetics, life-saving surgeries, counselling, school fees and enrol their families in a business scheme to make them self-sufficient in the long run.
The 200 players varied widely in age (and footballing ability), but were united by the cause they were fundraising for. The first part of the day was dedicated to a junior tournament with children from the age of six competing in two age groups. This was followed by a child amputee tournament, where 14 inspiring young amputees showed off their talents. As night fell, six adult teams took to the pitch, including politicians,PLMR team members, clients and friends. MPs Jim Fitzpatrick and Graham Evans impressed onlookers with their skills on the ball, while MPs Richard Bacon and Mark Field cheered on their sons who took part in the Junior Tournament.
In the end, it was PLMR client Company Shop who took the coveted Hope Cup trophy back with them to Barnsley, while Kevin Craig, Managing Director of PLMR, saved a penalty which won his team’s last game.
The event’s success is due to the generosity of all participants and a special thank you goes to Company Shop for their wonderful donation, and Peter Diapre of Sky News and Michael Walsh of Allied World Assurance Company, who had the money they raised doubled by their employers. Without the tireless work of Isabelle Trick from Elizabeth’s Legacy of Hope, and Felicity Fisher, Tim Knight and Rob Comba of PLMR, plus many other staff members who gave up their time to volunteer on the day, none of this would have been possible.
Sarah Hope, co-founder of Elizabeth’s Legacy of Hope said:
“The event has been incredible and we are stunned by the generosity of everyone who has supported our cause. We are honoured that so many people dedicated so much time and effort to helping our cause. Thank you to PLMR and everyone who took part.”
Kevin Craig, Managing Director of PLMR said:
“This cause is so special because of the lives this charity is changing across the world, every day. Child amputees are seeing a huge difference because of the work of Elizabeth’s Legacy of Hope. The money players raise goes directly to the vital work the charity does in giving hope and mobility to disadvantaged child amputees across the world.”
To find out more about the charity, please visit http://www.elizabethslegacyofhope.org.
A selection of the photos from the day can be seen here.
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