TOON HEROES UNITE FOR FUNDRAISING INITIATIVE

The website of former Newcastle United defender Barry Venison is teaming up with present day legends including Alan Shearer, and the official websites of Robbie Elliott, Nolberto Solano, Jamie McClen, Nikos Dabizas and another former United player, John Beresford, in a unique fundraising initiative. This will see football memorabilia such as players’ jerseys auctioned for the William Hardy Trust Fund, an appeal that has touched the hearts of people throughout the north east and further afield.

Young William Hardy lost both his legs and left arm to meningitis two years ago and the recent appeal, backed by the Evening Chronicle and Century Radio, helped raise £50,000 to allow his parents to buy the very latest in prosthetic legs. The partnership between the official websites of Elliott, Solano, McClen, Dabizas housed at www.officialplayersites.com and Barry Venison’s www.bid4sport.com, hope to raise a sizeable amount for the fund.

Barry Venison and Robbie Elliott have organised the auction, of which the star attraction and first item of kit to be auctioned, is Alan Shearer’s worn shirt from this season’s epic game at Liverpool. The auction goes live on the bid4sport site on Friday, 25th October after the launch of the player sites at St. James’ Park. Newcastle United is kindly supporting the event through the hosting of the press conference.

All the T-shirts worn by the players at their web site launch will be signed and then auctioned off. Additionally items such as signed jerseys from the likes of Solano, Dabizas and Elliott will also be included.

The auctions will run throughout the following few weeks in what is a great opportunity to obtain the ultimate in toon memorabilia, whilst helping a great cause. The players will also be supporting other causes via their own sites after this very special series of auctions. Joining the players at bid4sport will be another special auction with a link to the North East. ITV’s Gabby Logan recently ran in the Great North Run and her worn racing kit will be auctioned off in aid of her chosen charity (The Cardiomyopathy Association) alongside the shirt of Shearer and the array of other items.

Barry Venison, Founder of Bid4sport said:

“After learning about the William Hardy Fund from Robbie Elliott, bid4sport is delighted to help in some small way by hosting these great toon auctions, and hopefully raise a large amount for the fund. Visit bid4sport.com and see for yourself the fantastic items on offer.”

Robbie Elliott , Newcastle United said :

“ I’m delighted that the official launch of my own site in tandem with bid4sport is part of this great initiative which will hopefully raise a sizeable amount of money for young William”

For More Information - Contact

Andrew Burns - OfficialPlayerSites (enquiries@OfficialPlayerSites.com - 07967 606278)

Nick Streeter - Bid4sport.com Charities and Marketing Manager (Nick@bid4sport.com - 7887617776)

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