Chairman of Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, Lee Strafford and the Rt Hon David Blunkett MP will be flying over Hillsborough stadium this spring to help support The Children's Hospital in Sheffield.

Lee and David will shoot from the back of the Kop and across the pitch to the Leppings Lane end, as participants in a zip slide in aid of The Children's Hospital Charity on Sunday 25 April 2010.

David, who is Honorary President of the Sheffield Wednesday supporters group, Wednesdayite, wanted to take the opportunity to thank the hospital for the care he and his family have received.

He said: "I have personally benefited from this fantastic hospital, along with my three boys, and I am certain most people in Sheffield have been touched by the amazing work that takes place there.

"We are so fortunate to have one of the leading children's hospitals in the country on our doorstep and this is my way of showing my support for this excellent facility."

Lee, who was behind Sheffield Wednesday's pioneering move to donate their shirt sponsorship to The Children's Hospital and its charity for two seasons in 2009, said: "Since we announced our special partnership with the hospital and its charity we have been committed to supporting and creating awareness of this superb Sheffield institution.

"My involvement in the zip slide is an extension of our continued support and I am delighted to be combining a fun activity with raising money for a cause that is so close to my heart."

He added: "We are so proud to be associated with the hospital and it's great to know I will be in good company with David, Alan Irvine and staff and parents from the hospital taking part. I am sure it will be a great day."

The zip slide challenge will take place between 9.00am and 4.30pm on Sunday 25 April 2010 and will give participants the chance to zip slide from the back of the Kop and across the pitch to the Leppings Lane end.

Simon Athey, Senior Fundraiser at The Children's Hospital Charity, said: "It's brilliant news that Lee and David have signed up for the zip slide and have such admiration for the work that takes place at the hospital.

"It's still not too late to enter and if you want to get a real thrill, raise money for charity and see some well-known faces flying high, then get in touch."

Those wishing to join Lee and David for the challenge can register online at www.tchcharity.org.uk or call the charity office on 0114 2717203. A £25 registration fee reserves your place and then the charity asks that each person taking part raise a minimum of £75 in sponsorship. Participants must be over the age of 18 and a full list of terms and conditions can be found on the charity's website.
If you would like to sponsor Lee or David you can add your donation at http://www.justgiving.com/leestrafford or http://www.justgiving.com/DavidBlunkett

All of the money raised through the challenge will go directly to The Children's Hospital Charity.