- Media men make almost £600 for Bluebell Wood Hospice
- Money raised for the Sheffield Wednesday Community Programme's nominated charity
- Gary Madine makes cheque presentation
Almost £600 has been raised for a Sheffield-based children’s charity thanks to the generosity of members of the media covering Sheffield Wednesday.
Press reporters, who reside in Sheffield Wednesday’s press room before games and during half time, have donated £563.64 to Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice in return for enjoying the facilities in the media room at Hillsborough.
For the second season running, scribes made a voluntary donation of £1 leach time they dined in the designated press area, with the proceeds donated to charity.
Bluebell Wood, who are the club’s Community Programme’s nominated charity, provide care and support to children with a shortened life expectancy.
Julie Hampson, Corporate Fundraiser at Bluebell Wood, said: “We’re so grateful to Sheffield Wednesday for choosing Bluebell Wood as the chosen charity for the press bucket collection for the second year running.
“We receive less than five per cent government funding and rely heavily on donations - which is why the support of organisations like Sheffield Wednesday is so important. The loss of a child is something no family should ever have to go through and the money raised will make sure we’re here for families during the hardest times they will ever have to face.
“We’d also like to say a huge thank you to the press for their generous support throughout the year and again to Sheffield Wednesday for making it happen.”
Trevor Braithwait, director of communications at Sheffield Wednesday, said: “With an average of 40 members of the press joining us at every home game we think this represents a great opportunity to raise money for this wonderful charity.
“Bluebell Wood is a very worthy cause which provides such an important service to children and families in our region. Both parties would like to thank our friends in the media for their generous donations through the 2013/14 season.”
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club works hand in hand with its extensive Community Programme that operates in South Yorkshire aiming to provide education and social inclusion for the area. The club aims to help many Sheffield-based charities through various community projects and initiatives.