THIRD LIVE FOREVER CUP RAISES MORE THAN £11,000 FOR CHARITIES

What began as a one-off football match has grown to become a very special fundraising event in memory of lost loved ones.

Iain Chisholm

The third Live Forever Cup took place at Benfield FC’s Sam Smith’s Park ground in Newcastle and raised over £11,000 in aid of four charities close to the players’ hearts, including our Foundation.

Organised by Iain Chisholm, originally from Walker and now living in Sydney, this year over 80 players, all friends and family, lined up to play in a four team tournament.

Iain, who emigrated to Australia in 2013, organised a 40metre long banner featuring the faces of 55 loved ones to display at the event.

Iain explains: “Everyone who plays or supports the Live Forever Cup is doing so in memory of someone they love and that’s what makes the event so special.

“This year was the first time we had more than two teams playing and it worked really well. We had players swapping in and out during the matches and, as it was so warm, that was just as well.

“I’m grateful to everyone who helped make the day such a success and we’re all proud to have done something to help four amazing charities continue their work.”

The first Live Forever Cup was held in Brisbane in 2021 and this was the second held in Newcastle. Players represented Sunderland, Newcastle United, Manchester City and Barcelona, with Newcastle the eventual winners.

Steve Watson, Darlington FC manager and former Newcastle United player, and Wor Flags, the fan-funded flag display group, were on hand to show their support for the event.

The Live Forever Cup raised funds for our Foundation, part of Newcastle Hospitals Charity, St Benedict’s Hospice, The Ricky Hatton Foundation and Australian breast cancer charity, Chicks in Pink.

All the funds raised for our Foundation will help build the £30m Sir Bobby Robson Institute, a world leading cancer drug trials centre for the region.