Fundraising for Kosovo

29^th April 1999

Reading Standard

A FIELD OF STARS FOR FUNDRAISER

By MATT BLACKMAN

A WEALTH of talent will be on show at Madejski Stadium in a charity football match to raise money for Kosovo.

A galaxy of stars have been approached by the Reading Evening Post this week for a planned pros versus celebrities game in May.

A top pop superstar, and a famous Reading actress have been approached to lend their support to the teams.

Psychic spoon bender Uri Geller has confirmed he will be putting his football boots on to play in the match against Wycombe Wanderers manager Lawrie Sanchez and former Reading star Trevor Senior, who have both agreed to take part.

Reading Football Club, which has already donated the use of its stadium for the evening, is also hoping to attract a big name player to headline the pros side.

A spokesman for the club said: “We don’t want to start naming people and then have them not turn up, because it’s not fair on them.”

“But if a few of the people we are talking to were able to turn up, we would fill the place.”

“We would like to try to raise tens of thousands of pounds, but it all depends on the names.”

Invitations to take part in the game, taking place on Sunday, May 23, were sent out by the Post this week.

Editor Andy Murrill said: “Everyone has been moved by the daily stories of horror facing refugees.”

Mr Murrill added: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Reading, its people and the stars to show their compassion and support.”

All the money raised by the game will go to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Kosovo Appeal, which distributes money collected to all the major charities tackling the crisis, including Reading’s Children’s Aid Direct in Portman Road.

Charity founder David Grubb said: “This is a very exciting initiative supporting our Current work within the Kosovo crisis.”

“It is absolutely wonderful that so many people are coming up with so many fundraising ideas.”