Children's Charity To Benefit From Special Soccer Match At Saints
May 22, 2017
GAME ON: Two companies in Southampton prepare to play one another in a charity match at the Saints’ stadium on May 22nd. From left, R&M’s chairman Brian Robinson, team captain Martin Harris and group sales director Andrew Chandler with Trant Engineering captain Philip Trant and chairman Patrick Trant. They are pictured near the statue of Ted Bates, Southampton FC’s legendary former player, manager, director and club president.
HEAD-TO-HEAD: R&M group chairman Brian Robinson, left, with Trant Engineering chairman Patrick Trant. The two companies in Southampton prepare to play one another in a charity match at the Saints’ stadium on May 22nd, raising thousands of pounds for the Flutterby Fund in Hampshire, which helps improve the lives of physically and mentally impaired children from low-income families. Brian and Patrick are pictured in front of the statue of Ted Bates, Southampton FC’s legendary former player, manager, director and club president.
Game on!
It will be a chance to emulate their Premier League heroes on the field of dreams whilst raising money for a Hampshire children’s charity at the same time.
Staff from two major employers in Southampton take part in a friendly match at the home ground of the Saints before the pitch turf is replaced for the club’s 2017-18 campaign.
Trant Engineering, the multi-disciplinary contractor, and electrical group R&M play the 90-minute charity game at St Mary’s Stadium on Monday, 22nd May.
Money raised by the event, which sees 38 selected players emerge from the tunnel for a 10am kick-off in front of spectators, will go to the Flutterby Fund.
The charity helps improve the lives of physically and mentally impaired children, from low-income families across the UK, at Sophia’s House, a treatment clinic in Bursledon, near Southampton; the therapies are not available on the NHS.
An online donations page – http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TrantEngineering – has been set up with a target of £6,000.
Patrick Trant, Chairman of Trant Engineering, the multi-disciplinary contractor with 1,000 staff, said: “Whilst the event will be memorable fun, there is a serious aspect – we are raising vital funds for the Futterby Fund, a local charity close to my heart.
“The main aim of the treatment is to encourage and increase each child’s ability to move and function in as normal a way as possible.
“We’re grateful for the generosity of our suppliers and clients, as well as staff and their families.”
Brian Robinson, Chairman of R&M, which has 150 staff, said: “We eagerly await the game, following in the footsteps of Saints legends, and knowing that a great cause will benefit as well.
“From the dressing rooms to the tunnel, to kicking the ball about on hallowed turf and a presentation ceremony afterwards, the two sides will get the full match-day experience
“The nature of the game is very much a friendly one, with rolling substitutes to give every person a chance to play on the pitch.”
Match skippers are Philip Trant for Trant Engineering and Martin Harris for R&M.
To watch Sophie’s House at work: https://www.facebook.com/SophiasHouseClinic/videos/1923664697867310/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE