Wayne Rooney donated signed boots to support local children's charity

Added by Love Business East Midlands | 16 March 2022

England and Manchester United record goal scorer, and current Manager of Derby County Football Club, Wayne Rooney, donated his custom-made signed football boots in an unexpected and generous gesture to help support local children’s charity, Children First Derby.

Wayne Rooney surprised charity team members, who were visiting Derby County Football Club’s Moor Farm Training Centre, when he approached them to ask about the work they do to support local vulnerable children, young people and families.

Keen to offer his support, Rooney decided to help the charity who were collecting auction prizes for their upcoming Charity Spring Ball 2022, by signing and donating his bespoke white Nike football boots to be used as a unique charity auction prize.

The boots are specially made for Rooney in Italy, complete with a special interior lining.

Children First Derby, Fundraising Coordinator, Gina Repton said:

“We were thrilled when Wayne Rooney unexpectedly came over to chat to us about the charity. He was genuinely interested to learn about the support services we provide, particularly those which support our young people in the local community.

We were absolutely delighted when he signed and donated his football boots for us to use as an auction prize – and we are extremely grateful for his generous support.”

Gina Repton was visiting the training ground, along with Children First Derby Fundraising Officer, Louise Webb, and PR and Marketing Coordinator, Kerrie Oxford, thanks to the concerted efforts and kind invitation from Children First Derby supporter and Derby County Football Club Chief Engineer, Martin Smith.

Keen to help the children’s charity secure auction prizes for their upcoming Spring Ball 2022, Martin had asked the DCFC team to sign some club merchandise, which he kindly donated to the charity.

The charity members were thrilled when Derby County Right-Back, Festy Ebosele, and Midfielder, Jason Knight, presented the items to them at the ground. Furthermore, Ebosele and Knight also decided to generously sign and donate their football boots to add to the charity’s auction prizes.

Children First Derby CEO, Irshad Baqui, said:

“Our Fundraising team have been working hard to secure a wealth of fantastic auction prizes for our upcoming Charity Spring Ball 2022.

The generosity shown by everyone involved in the visit to Derby County’s Training ground has been fantastic, helping us secure some unique auction prizes that we hope will raise much needed funds for the charity.

We have been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity shown and we would like to thank everyone involved for their incredible support.”

The Charity’s upcoming Spring Ball, proudly sponsored by Smith Partnership, is being held at the prestigious Morley Hayes on Saturday 26th March 2022, from 6.45pm, where the charity will be hosting an auction and a raffle to help raise funds.

Due to the bespoke nature of the football boots, the charity has decided to set up on online auction for some of the prizes to enable outside bidders the opportunity to bid alongside those who will be attending the Spring Ball.

Bids can be placed for Wayne Rooney’s custom made signed white Nike football boots, by visiting the charity’s online link: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/373977978963

Ebosle’s and Knight’s signed boots are also listed under Children First Derby’s charity Ebay listing, alongside Goalkeeper, Ryan Alsop’s signed goalkeeping gloves, two Derby County signed football shirts, and a signed Derby County football. Bids for these items can be placed by visiting the charity’s following online link: https://www.charity.ebay.co.uk/charity/i/Children-First-Derby/320247

Established in 1974, Children First Derby provides three bespoke services; a Family Support Service, A Mentoring Service and a Supervised Contact Service for Looked After Children in Derby.

The charity recently won the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK, for its vital work supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged children, young people, and their families

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