Wolves All Stars raise £2,230 for charity
Date of release: 31 October 2023
A football match which attracted the biggest gathering of former Wolves players for a charity game scored by raising £2,230 for three worthy causes – including The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust’s Neonatal Unit.
Around 30 former Molineux favourites who played some 2,750 games for the club across six decades either played in or watched the match against FA Veterans at Bilston Town FC.
They were cheered on by a crowd of 300 at the Queen Street ground, who saw former captain Jody Craddock open the scoring for the All Stars with a towering header.
Matt Hill put the Wolves side 2-0 up just before half-time following a solo run prior to Chris Lake pulling one back for the FA side in the second half.
Craddock and Hill were two of more than a dozen ex-Wolves players who dusted off their boots to take to the field. They included League Cup winner Mel Eves, Simon Osborn, Adam Proudlock, Kevin Ashley, Micky Holmes, Jackie Gallagher, Tony Dinning, Colin Taylor, Paul Jones, Matt Forman and Dennis Pearce.
Among those watching were Phil Parkes, Matt Murray and Carl Ikeme, Steve Daley, Robbie Dennison, Alistair Robertson, Colin Brazier, Jon Purdie, Gerry Taylor and Joe Jackson.
The money was raised by admission to the ground, a raffle and an auction, plus £700 from the FA Veterans. All proceeds will be split equally between the Neonatal Unit at New Cross Hospital, Breast Cancer Now and 1p36 Family Trust.
Long-term Wolves All Stars sponsor and secretary Jason Guy organised the game. His daughter Olivia, now aged three, was born with 1p36, a rare condition that typically causes severe intellectual disability. She spent around six weeks in the Neonatal Unit at New Cross from October 2020.
The money raised means the event easily surpassed Jason’s target of £2,000 and he was delighted with the turnout.
“It was an incredible amount to raise so I can only thank everyone who attended for their wonderful support and generosity,” said Jason, who attended the game with wife Aimee, Olivia and son Jonas.
“It was wonderful to see people give up their time to make a difference to the lives of others. And to see more than 300 people in attendance with all the former players meant we made history. Everyone had a fantastic afternoon.”
Kate Cheshire, Head of Midwifery and Neonatal Services at RWT, said: “We’re delighted to see this money raised for our unit – thanks so much to Jason and the All Stars. This money will go towards caring for our sick babies and their loved ones. What a fantastic turnout of former players and the crowd too. Well done everyone.”
Amanda Winwood, Fundraising Development Manager of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Charity, said: “Jason has been a long-standing supporter of our charity and we’re very grateful for his support again. This is a wonderful, generous gesture for our Neonatal Unit.”
