UNITED CARLTON AND EAGLES FLYING HIGH FOR CHARITY

North East managed print services specialist United Carlton is teaming up with Newcastle’s championship-winning basketball team Esh Group Eagles Newcastle to raise funds for two North East charities next week.

The Gateshead-based firm, who sponsor Eagles Captain and leading scorer Charles Smith, will be raising money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and Percy Hedley Foundation at the British Basketball League Playoffs quarter-final game on Friday 24 April.

EaglesFriday’s match, at Sport Central in Newcastle, is the culmination of a very successful season for the Eagles and is sure to be a great game – with the Eagles already confirmed as BBL Cup and BBL Trophy winners,and having confirmed their position as League Champions with a win over Manchester Giants, they’ll also be looking to add the BBL Playoffs to complete a stunning clean sweep of 2015 silverware.

United Carlton’s managing director John Watson said: “We’re proud to support the Eagles, they’re a great asset for the region and they’ve had another fantastic season. They fully deserve to win the BBL Championship and the playoff match will be a big celebration.

“We decided to give fans the opportunity to enjoy a great game, have a good night out and help two of the region’s leading charities at the same time so hopefully it’ll be a big success.”

Newcastle Eagles managing director Paul Blake said: “We are very proud to be partnering with two great North East charities at the start of our drive towards the Play-Off Finals at the 02”.

There’ll be multiple competitions and opportunities to win fantastic prizes including a signed Eagles basketball, signed Eagles vest and a superb HP tablet PC, as well as many other smaller prizes. All proceeds from the various raffles, tombola and competitions, including the Eagles famed ‘Chuck A Duck’ game, will be shared equally between the two charities.

Lady Elsie said: “I think this is a marvellous idea to help two local charities and we’re very grateful to be included.

“The Eagles are having a wonderful season and I hope the game will be one for fans to celebrate.

“Our thanks to everyone involved. I’m sure the night will be very popular and lot of fun for everyone who comes along.”

Carole Harder, CEO Percy Hedley Foundation CEO Carole Harder added: “As an organisation we have worked closely with the Eagles to promote sports opportunities for disabled people and have been very successful in establishing several clubs for disabled children and adults across the North Of England.

“We are delighted to be named as one of the charities that will benefit from this high profile event and the funding will support the development of our new hydrotherapy pool.”

For further information and tickets telephone 0191 245 3880.

Those wishing to donate can visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/unitedcarlton

United Carlton also has a limited number of tickets for sale at a discounted rate in advance of the game, the proceeds of which will be shared between the two charities. For more information and to book please contact Steven Mole on 0845 456 0022 or email steven@united-carlton.co.uk.