AN ANNUAL charity football match between supermarkets is being held this weekend.
The Retail Challenge Cup features teams from Tesco and Morrisons in Evesham, raising money for St Richard's Hospice.
This is the 25-year anniversary of the match and will be held on Sunday, July 30 at Evesham United FC's Jubilee Stadium.
The winners of the match will also have the trophy presented to them by Wolverhampton Wanderers’ legend Geoff Palmer, and there will be a raffle and silent auction including an England football shirt signed by Jude Bellingham.
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Mark Payne, organiser and founder of the Retail Challenge Cup held the first match in 1998 in memory of his mum, Gill, who was cared for by St Richard’s Hospice.
He said: "I can't believe it has been 25 years since we first set up the Retail Challenge Cup.
“We are very excited for this year’s milestone event, which includes lots of activities alongside the Cup game, and, we are also delighted that Wolves legend Geoff Palmer will be there on the day to present the Cup to the winning team.
"Our aim is to raise as much money as possible for the wonderful St Richard’s Hospice, which cared for my late mother so much back in 1997.”
The Retail Challenge Cup has raised around £32,000 for St Richard’s to support patients living with serious progressive illnesses, their loved ones and bereaved people across Worcestershire.
Ria Simons, corporate fundraiser at St Richard’s, said: “We are so grateful to Mark and everyone involved in this fantastic community event for supporting us over many years.
“An incredible amount has been raised in that time, helping us continue our care to patients and their loved ones across Worcestershire.
“This year’s event is set to be a great celebration of all they have achieved so far, and we hope everyone has a brilliant day."
The women's match, a new fixture for this year’s event, will kick off at 2pm, followed by the legends game.
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The Retail Challenge Cup match will kick off between 5pm and 5.30pm. The presentation to the winning captain will take place between 7pm and 7.30pm.
Admission to the event is £3 for adults and £1 for children, which needs to be paid for at the gate with cash. The gates open at 1.30pm.
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