Sports tournament set to bolster charity coffers

The scheme allows players to play on the same team as Blades and Owls legends in Team of Steel Cup five-a-side football tournament/

The campaign aims to raise £1.3 million for a new Cancer Research and Treatment Suite at Weston Park Hospital which will offer the very latest anti-cancer treatments to patients from across South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire, North Nottinghamshire and North Lincolnshire.

The new facility will offer patients from across the region the opportunity to receive the most up-to-date anti-cancer treatments and therapies, initially as part of a research programme and subsequently as NHS treatment.

The first 14 teams to register for the tournament are guaranteed a place in the same pool as a “legends team” from Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday, or a celebrity team made up of actors from Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks.

As well as being refereed by the world famous South Yorkshire-born referee, Howard Webb, the teams will be able to run out of the tunnel onto the premiership standard pitch, use the visitors dressing room, see themselves on the big screen and have their big moment captured on a celebration DVD.

Two of the legends taking part are Carl Bradshaw and John Pearson. Defender Bradshaw played for both of his home-town teams in the late 80s, clocking up a total of 179 appearances for United and Wednesday.

Former Wednesday forward Pearson, who played for the club in the early 80s and is now part of Wednesday’s commentary team, will also be dusting off his boots.

Currently the campaign has raised over a third of its target - £540,000, and is being supported by not-for-profit health insurance provider, Westfield Health.

Rachel Thorpe, Director of Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, said: “This is a really unique event and an ideal opportunity for football fanatics to live the dream of playing at Bramall Lane.

The tournament is on Sunday, May 26 at Sheffield United FC, Bramall Lane.

If you would like to enter a team or for more information contact Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity on 0114 2265370 or email [email protected]