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To support their ongoing mission of inspiring lives in the community and to show support to Rovers Legend Tony Parkes and his family, award winning charity, Blackburn Rovers Community Trust will use the power of football for good and play host to Football Aid in The Community. This exciting event will allow fans to bid for a place in the team and share the changing rooms and pitch with high profile ex rovers players inc Matt Jansen, Derek Fazakerley, David Dunn & Colin Hendry.
All funds raised will be split between supporting the award-winning charity that touches the lives of over 50,000 residents of Blackburn with Darwen every year, narrowing the gap' in health, education, aspirations & opportunities, and helping to support Tony Parkes and his family.
Tony Parkes dedicated almost his entire career to Rovers as a player and coach, making more than 300 appearances between 1970 and 1982.
He then successfully took the reins as caretaker-manager on six occasions while the club searched for its next coach as well as being part of Kenny Dalglishs coaching staff during the Premier League triumph of 1995.
He retired from football to become a full-time carer for his wife, Eileen, who had terminal cancer, before she passed away aged 61 in 2009.
In 2019, Parkes was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease and with money running out to pay for his care, BRCT have pledged to donate half the funds raised in the hope of keeping Tony settled and cared for in his residential home.
We are delighted to be able to introduce Football Aid in The Community 2022. The power of football to engage, enthuse and motivate people irrespective of age, gender and ethnicity is now recognised on many stages and we use this as a vehicle to consistently inspire change in our community. The event will raise vital funds to support the work of our charity, with 50 per cent of the funds raised being donated to Tony Parkes and the other half being put towards our community projects that support people with dementia, as well as other initiatives aimed at tackling social isolation among the elderly. BRCT Chief Executive Gary Robinson
Matt Jansen, Ex Rovers star says "I'm thrilled to be involved in this charity match to help raise funds for Blackburn Rovers community Trust and Tony Parkes. Blackburn Rovers Community Trust do a fantastic job in supporting their local community with all the much-needed projects they offer. I am really looking forward to the evening and feel privileged to have been asked to support two such worthy causes"
Derek Fazakerley, ex Rovers star states "I'm more than happy to be involved in this charity fixture and support the community trust. I feel very privileged to have had the benefit of a good career as a professional athlete at Rovers and various other clubs, and fortunately benefit from good health. The opportunity to help raise money and support the projects run by the community trust can only be of benefit to those that are less privileged. The work of the Community Trust is fantastic and should be applauded by all"
We couldn't continue our life changing work without you and by donating to this worthy cause, you are supporting a charity changes the lives if some of the most underrepresented communities in the borough.
Your donation will go a long way in supporting the lives of the communities we work with.
Thank you.