TOMORROW the Pirelli Stadium plays host to a team full of Burton Albion legends and former professionals in our Charity Game, raising money for Sam's Superheroes and Burton Albion Community Trust.
Tickets are selling quickly but some are still available for the match (which kicks off at 4pm), we urge fans to get yours prior to the game itself to avoid disappointment - you can do that right now by tapping the banner below!
Attendees are reminded to ensure they sit in the seat they are allocated and do not move to different areas of the stand.
Anyone who purchases a ticket will also have access to our Family Fun Zone over on the Burton Albion Community Football Centre from 2pm, which will be opened by Ray Garlick, Managing Director of our event sponsor Raygar.
Burton Albion legends Aaron Webster and John McGrath, along with former Derby County defender Pablo Mills, have put together the following message ahead of tomorrow's Charity Game at the Pirelli Stadium!
"We're delighted to welcome everybody to tomorrow's charity game. After speaking to Burton Albion Chairman Ben Robinson, Head of Community Matt Hancock and Mickleover FC Chairman Don Amott, we realised the scope that this occasion had - we are truly grateful to them for their support, advice and to Burton Albion for allowing us to use the Pirelli Stadium, staff and brilliant facilities to make today happen.
"Since setting the date in the diary, both Rob Slater and Stef White from Burton Albion, as well as Rachel Liew from Sam's Superheroes, have played instrumental parts in making the event happen. Contacting ex-players, promoting the game, finding charity prizes, holding meetings and securing sponsors are just some of the things that we couldn't have done without them.
"We want to thank all of the players and their families that are joining us tomorrow, with some travelling very long distances to come and play their part in the game. Some of the lads are in better shape than others these days, with some a bit hesitant to play their part at first, however, once we explained the importance of helping out the two fantastic causes everybody was fully on-board.
"There are many sponsors that have very kindly donated money and prizes to help support today's event, none other than our main event sponsor and good friend Ray Garlick - Managing Director of Raygar Architectural & Engineering Supplies Limited. We want to thank Ray for his invaluable support and we look forward to seeing him open the Family Fun Zone over on the 3G pitch at 2pm.
"Notable mentions must also go to TAG, Happy Place Holidays, Vivid Print, Prestec, Trent & Dove, Ashgate Accountants, Cresco Heating Services, Arnold & Lockhart Electrical, and Reactive Maintenance Services - your sponsorship will go a long way towards making this event happen and will add to the overall total of monies raised.
"The Pre-Match Fun Zone wasn't something that we had originally planned, but after discussions with Sam's Superheroes we really wanted to maximise this opportunity - we are grateful to everyone that pays a visit to the 3G prior to the game.
"Many stall holders have donated a generous amount of their proceeds back to the two charities, with many amazing volunteers kindly offering their services this afternoon to help make the event happen. We have lots of excellent raffle prizes available. with a draw taking place at half time. We want to say thank you to everyone that's donated the prizes for the raffle and we kindly urge everyone to dig deep into their pockets to support the raffle.
"Finally, we hope that everyone has a fantastic day. It promises to be a great atmosphere and we hope that you all enjoy the 90 minutes and the Pre-Match Family Fun Zone."
Head of Community Matt Hancock said:
"Burton Albion Community Trust is the charitable arm of Burton Albion Football Club. We are extremely proud to represent the brand and want to ensure that every staff member and volunteer delivers the best possible experience every time we are in the community. We are nothing without the forward facing delivery of our people and that is why we have a huge focus in the next three years on developing our people, projects and programme to be the best they can be.
"We're really excited about tomorrow's game and want to thank everyone that's played their part in making it happen. It promises to be a great occasion - the funds that are raised will go a long way in supporting both our own charity and the Sam's Superheroes charity. Enjoy the game!"
Rachel Liew, who set up Sam's Superheroes, said:
"Sam's Superheroes was founded to create an ever-lasting legacy for Sam, my much-loved kind and gentle son who died in May 2021 aged five years old. It was triggered from a virus which caused the sudden onset of an epilepsy syndrome so rare it affects just one in a million people. Sam fought so hard for seven weeks at QMC Nottingham, but tragically these seizures caused catastrophic and irreversible brain damage.
"I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all the superheroes who have worked behind the scenes to make this event so wonderful. Words cannot express how deeply appreciative I am for the generosity, kindness and support I have been shown by individuals and organisations. It is impossible to mention everyone but some of the key people to thank include Burton Albion, their Chairman Ben Robinson and Community Trust, Mickleover FC Chairman Don Amott and former professional footballers Aaron Webster, John McGrath and Pablo Mills for picking us as one of their chosen charities.
"I'd like to say huge thanks to Burton Albion's Rob Slater for organising the event together with Stef White. I'd also like to thank all the players who are playing today, as well as all the spectators, stewards, staff, teams, volunteers and anybody else that has helped to make this happen.
"Finally, and most importantly, a huge thank you to my very own superhero, Sam. A beautiful, kind, caring, courageous and truly amazing little boy, who is at the heart of today. One-in-a-million in every sense, and we are truly thankful of the precious five years we had with you. You gave so much love, so much hope and so much kindness to so many people. You gently showed us what really matters in life. Your energy and love lives on and is propelling us forward, touching lives in ways that we hope you will be proud of."