Arsenal Football Club's home game against West Ham United on Saturday 7th April will be dedicated to its Charity of the Season, the Willow Foundation.
The charity, founded by Arsenal legend Bob Wilson and his wife
Megs, offers quality of life and quality of time to seriously ill
young adults aged 16-40 through the provision of special
days. It will benefit from many awareness raising activities
and charitable giving on the day including: a donation of fifty
pence from each matchday programme, the players warming up in
Willow Foundation t-shirts, Junior Gunners creating a 'Willow
Foundation Guard of Honour' as both teams enter the pitch and
various raffles and bucket collections taking place around the
stadium.
Bob Wilson will also be signing copies of his books, Beyond the
Network and Googlies, Nutmegs and Bogeys (the profits of which go
to the Willow Foundation) from 12 to 1.15pm in the Armoury
megastore and merchandise from the ITV 2 show, WAGS Boutique, which
is being sold in aid of the charity, will also be on sale in
store.
Junior Gunner activities will take place in the family enclosure area, a cheque presentation will occur before the match with supporters club representatives presenting the monies they have raised over the season to Bob and Megs Wilson and charity coverage will feature on Arsenal TV and on perimeter boards.
Bob Wilson said: "It is an enormous honour to be Arsenal's Charity of the Season in such a significant year in the Club's history. The association has opened up a host of opportunities for the Willow Foundation, this matchday being one of them. With the tremendous support of the Club and the fantastic fans, the matchday will enable us to reach out to more seriously ill young adults throughout the UK, significantly increase awareness of our service and ultimately allow us to fulfil more special days wishes."
Arsenal Manager, Arsène Wenger said: "We're
delighted to have the Willow Foundation as our Charity of the
Season for this special first season at Emirates Stadium. We
hope that the matchday will help to raise greater awareness and
lots of funds for this wonderful charity. Bob was a terrific
goalkeeper for the Club and is a true Arsenal great and we're
so happy to be in a position to help secure the long-term future of
the charity. Supporters have been fantastic in their support for
the Charity of the Season and we hope that today's matchday
will help the Foundation grant many more special days."
For further information on the Willow Foundation, its work, how to
get involved and application process please contact: Laura Hadwin
on 01707 259777 or laura@willowfoundation.org.uk
