Harrogate mum sets up celebrity football match with local club to raise money for vulnerable babies and children

Harrogate mum, Manraj Sanghera, who set up a Bliss Family Group in Harrogate last year, is now raising her game and has joined forces with Harrogate Town AFC to set up a celebrity football match on Sunday, 30 September 2012 at Harrogate Town AFC, in Harrogate.

The Bliss Select XI and Harrogate XI teams will be made up of ex-premiership footballers, Emmerdale cast members, Leeds United Legends and five local Dad’s of premature babies in aid of Bliss, for babies born too soon, too small or too sick, and Shine, which provides practical support to help individuals and families affected by spina bifida and hydrocephalus.

Every year around 80,000 babies are born premature or sick and in need of specialist hospital care, money raised will enable Bliss to continue its vital work to help premature and sick babies and their families across the UK.

Gareth Southgate (retired England player and ex-manager of Middlesbrough FC) will be the Bliss team Captain and Danny Mills (former-England and Leeds United player) also playing for Bliss, are just some of the household names set to play in the charity match in the autumn.

Danny says: “I am really proud to be taking part in the charity match for Bliss and Shine this autumn. Ever since I lost my son Archie to Spina Bifida ten years ago, I have worked closely with, and fundraised for Shine, who launched the first memorial challenge in my son’s name. Having experienced tragedy and the worry of two premature babies but getting through it by the amazing support we received from staff on the unit, I cannot think of two better causes. Any bit of fundraising and raising awareness I can do for these charities that provide care for sick babies and children, makes me feel I am doing my bit for Archie. Anyone can give something back, no matter how small, it really does help.”

Manraj was inspired to raise awareness of Bliss, after her three children were born premature and sick. Her first child Raj-Arjun was born at 37 weeks. He is now severely disabled after suffering a massive brain haemorrhage at birth. Her second child Simran was born at 29 weeks, weighing a mere 1Ib 11oz and her third child Priya was born at 34 weeks.

Manraj says: “I am really pleased to be organising this match in aid of Bliss and Shine. Since the birth of our son Raj-Arjun nine years ago, and two premature daughters Simran and Priya, we have spent many weeks in and out of neonatal intensive care and special care units in Harrogate and Leeds. If it were not for the dedication and support of the staff our children would not be alive.

‘Charities such as Bliss and Shine allow for a wider support mechanism for parents in such traumatic circumstances. We have received this vital support and feel it is time to give something back. It is for this reason we dedicate this match to everyone who has worked tirelessly to support us. It is also a great way to get dads involved who can sometimes be forgotten, when lots of the support is offered to mums and babies.

Other footballers set to play include: Colin Cooper, Nigel Quashie, Nigel Martyn, David Prutton, Colin Hunter and local Radio Presenters from Stray FM.

Tad Nowakowski from Harrogate Town AFC says: “Harrogate Town AFC are delighted to be involved in supporting Bliss and allowing our facilities to be used to host this charity soccer match. We are looking forward to seeing local dads playing on our new pitch which is being levelled and re-seeded later this year.”

Chief Executive Andy Cole from Bliss says: “The celebrity football match is set to be a really successful fundraising event. We are extremely grateful to Manraj for organising the event and the money raised will help Bliss’ work to support babies and their families during an incredibly difficult and stressful time.”

Tickets are now on sale, £12.50 for adults, and £7.50 children (Under 12) Under 3 free. For further ticket sellers’ information, log onto www.harrogatetownafc.co.uk or www.bliss.org.uk or e-mail: first4charityevents@gmail.co.uk all proceeds will go to Bliss, Shine, Harrogate SCBU and LGI Peter Congdon Unit (NICI).