England players Steven Gerrard, Joe Hart, Jermain Defoe and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain dedicate tomorrow's Scotland friendly to Teenage Cancer Trust patients
England stars take time out in the build-up to the match to individually pair-up with the youngsters and spend some time to get to know them
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Your support makes all the difference.England players are dedicating tomorrow’s match against Scotland to young cancer patients as part of the Football Association’s bid to raise £300,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
The FA invited young people who were representing the charity to St George’s Park on Monday, and senior internationals Steven Gerrard, Joe Hart, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jermain Defoe will dedicate their performance tomorrow to those they met at the training base, having individually paired up with one of the youngsters.
England captain Gerrard spent time with Mikey Grimmett from Worcestershire, and afterwards he spoke of the positive experience he gained from the time he spent with the 13-year-old.
“The FA’s official charity partner is Teenage Cancer Trust and yesterday I was honoured to meet Mikey,” said Gerrard. “He's a lovely young lad. For someone so young to battle against cancer with such determination is a lesson to us all. That’s why on Wednesday night against Scotland, I’m playing for Mikey. You can play your part too by going to http://www.justgiving.com/EnglandScotlandmatch
“The FA and Teenage Cancer Trust are aiming to raise at least £300,000 from the partnership so that more young people can benefit from the charity’s support. Anything people can do to help would be warmly appreciated."
Mikey added: "Today was really fun. All the players were so lovely with us all and it was great to meet them all. I'm a massive Liverpool fan so the highlight was meeting my idol, Steven Gerrard. We had fun chatting and he said I was good looking!"
Current number one goalkeeper Joe Hart met Matthew Burton, also from Worcester, and the Manchester City shot-stopper said he was inspired ny the 20-year-old, who has been invited back for a penalty shootout with Hart in the future.
Hart said: “Yesterday, I took part in a special video for Teenage Cancer Trust and was introduced to Matt. In his 20 years, he has battled against the odds. What I find extraordinary is how Matt retains his zest for life and sense of humour during difficult times.
“His courage, drive and independent spirit are truly inspiring. One day, when his legs are stronger, I look forward to Matt returning to St. George's Park to face me in another penalty shootout. This Wednesday night, I’m playing for Matt.”
Matthew added: "Being a Liverpool fan, meeting Steven Gerrard was great but Joe Hart was definitely my highlight. He was so chatty and he even challenged me to a penalty. Unfortunately my health isn't up to scratch at the moment so I promised to come back once I'm better and take him up on that. He said he'd wait for me, and in the meantime gave me his boots so I could practice."
Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe spent his time with Liam Penrose from Solihull,
“Yesterday I met Liam to film a special video to support Teenage Cancer Trust’s dedicated matchday against Scotland,” said Defoe. “He is such a brave, spirited and hopeful teenager and with the support of the charity he has overcome a difficult period in his life. It is why on Wednesday evening I’m playing for Liam.
Liam enjoyed talking to the Spurs frontman, and said admitted he even got a little inside information on the latest transfer rumours from the man himself.
"Being part of the film with Jermaine Defoe was an amazing experience,” said Joe. “He was really friendly and we had a good chat about transfer rumours! Everyone was super and St George’s Park is awesome. I'd love to go back."
And Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain met 20-year-old Rachel Clark from near Salford Priors, with the 19-year-old international admitting he was humbled by the experience.
“I can’t imagine the emotional rollercoaster Rachel and her loved ones have been on over the last few years,” said Oxlade-Chamberlai. “Meeting her yesterday to support Teenager Cancer Trust’s dedicated matchday against Scotland was a humbling experience. It’s a small gesture but on Wednesday night I’m playing for Rachel.”
Rachel was overwhelmed by the day, and she said: "Wow what a cool day! We met the manager Roy (Hodgson) first and I loved meeting Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart. Filming with Alex was really fun as he was really friendly and we were joking around. But in general the whole day was great - the training, all the players and the tour."
The Football Association aims to raise a minimum of £300,000 over an 18 month period for Teenage Cancer Trust to fund new specialist facilities across the South West of England, as well as education and nursing services across the rest of the country.
The Football Association aims to raise a minimum of £300,000 over an 18 month period for Teenage Cancer Trust to fund new specialist facilities across the South West of England, as well as education and nursing services across the rest of the country.
The England v Scotland Teenage Cancer Trust International will host a wealth of fundraising activities at Wembley in the build-up to the match you can play your part by visiting http://www.justgiving.com/EnglandScotlandmatch or to donate £3, please text GOAL to 70300.
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