Celebrity football game to raise charity funds

Former Brighton & Hove Albion captain Guy Butters and comedian Joe Wilkinson are set to play in a football match to support a local children's charity.

The match will be held at Worthing Football Club on Saturday, with Mr Butters leading a team with ex-Brighton legends Gary Hart, Bas Savage and Dean Cox.

They will be playing against The Rockinghorse Allstars which include Wilkinson, who lives in Brighton.

Mr Butters said: "It's great we can get together and support the Rockinghorse Charity. It will be great to see some of my old team mates again after nearly 20 years."

Avid Seagulls supporter Brett Mendoza says he organised the event to raise money for the Trevor Mann Baby Unit and Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital, where his 16-month-old twins have spent time since they were born.

Mr Mendoza said: "I can't believe this is actually happening after starting a conversation with Guy over a pint. I'm very lucky to call Guy and Joe my friends.

"I can't thank them enough for helping me and getting their famous friends to join in the fun."

Wilkinson, who regularly appears as a contestant on the TV programme 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, said: "I'm very proud to show off my lack of footballing ability for this brilliant local charity.

"I will be roping in a couple of equally unathletic comedians to play as well."

Emma Henderson, from the Rockinghorse Children's Charity which is the fundraising arm of the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital, said they were "thankful" for the support.

"Having children in hospital can be really traumatic, but for Brett and his family to use this experience to support other families experiencing similar things is so generous," she added.

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