BURTON Albion is delighted to welcome representatives of the Kevin Beattie Foundation to today's game with Ipswich.
This charity raises cash for good causes to create a legacy for the Ipswich Town defender Kevin Beattie.
The foundation was founded by Malcolm Thompson who was met by Burton Albion Community Trust's Head of Community Matt Hancock.
Matt said: "We are are delighted that Malcolm and his guests could come to the game today to showcase the tremendous work done by the Kevin Beattie Foundation. The foundation has the same values as BACT and we wish them luck in their fundraising efforts."
Malcolm explained more about the foundation.
“We want to thank Burton Albion FC for giving us the chance to get our Foundation out there through today’s match day programme and website.
“Kevin was a fantastic player and Sir Bobby Robson said he was the best player he ever coached and that speaks volumes.
“When Kevin sadly passed away, I along with a friend decided to walk from his birthplace, Carlisle, to Ipswich which we did last September, and we wished he was born in Stowmarket as 311 miles over two weeks was at times painful especially over the Yorkshire Dales but in the end we completed it and raised £3k in the process. The PFA then got in touch and was so impressed that they matched it so we had the £6k we needed to set the Foundation up.
“If you look at our newly launched website, www.kevinbeattiefoundation.co.uk you will see that since last December we have done so much even in Covid restrictions. We helped raise monies for the East Anglian Children’s Hospices, Join our Boys Trust (three brothers sadly dying from Muscular Dystrophy), The Injured Jockey Funds and the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation so today it’s an honour for someone to do something for us as we need funds for stationery, postage and other admin.
“On October 31st, we will be holding A Night to Remember Paul Mariner at Home Park, the home of Plymouth Argyle FC where he was a hero also.
“We have also been presented with a horse by top trainer Richard Fahey which we have called ‘BEATTIE IS BACK’ - this horse, although only a two year old and not yet raced, has high hopes as its father once won the July Cup!
“We have some tremendous supporters as you can see on our supporters’ page, names such as World Cup winners Osvaldo Ardiles and Ricky Villa, cricketing legend Sir Ian Botham and the biggest pop star on the planet, Ed Sheeran!
“Our aim and vision is to keep the name and legacy of Kevin Beattie alive whilst delivering a national campaign to raise general public awareness of the importance of the relevant illness/charity.”