SIGNED MESSI PHOTO STAR ATTRACTION IN CHARITY AUCTION

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Staff Reporter / 2012-07-15 19:10:53

A signed Lionel Messi framed photo is the star attraction at an auction that is being held as part of the forthcoming charity football fun day in San Fulgencio on 28th July.

The photo with signature of the top Barcelona player is authenticated by a certificate on the rear and was received by the Offices of the Concejalia for the Urbanisations in La Marina. “For this we have to thank the Mary Leishman Foundation in the UK who visited Spain a few weeks ago to raise funds for their foundation by having a Celebrity Golf Match.” explains Councillor Jess Wiszniewski. Samantha Hull from the office went along to the match and spoke with Shirley Graham and Billy Braisby about the charity football fun day happening and “they promised something a bit special for an auction to boost funds.”

The signed photo will be auctioned on the day of the football match and the council office is currently taking sealed bids prior to the auction that will happen around 6pm on Saturday 28th July.

The fun day starts at 11am down at the football ground in San Fulgencio where a team from the Policia Local will take on a local team of expats. The event is being held to raise funds for the cancer charity AECC after Paul Docherty from urbanisation La Marina was unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer towards the end of last year after he went in to hospital to have his gall bladder removed. Despite having quite an aggressive form of the disease and undergoing weekly chemo sessions and a new trial drug, you would never know Paul was undergoing treatment, either in appearance or his attitude. But the experience has changed him somewhat as you would expect, and in between treatment and his work as a painter and decorator, he is currently pouring his efforts into finalising the last minute details for the charity football match.

The 40 year-old father of 3 says he used to play a lot of football but has not played for over year, although he will be on the pitch this time around, joined by his son who is flying over from the UK for the event. He came up with the idea of organising a charity football match and not just any match, one against a police team, “I have met some Spanish friends in the hospital and I thought it would be a great way of integration and would attract more interest.” Paul, known amongst his friends as Doc, enlisted the help of friend Sarah Bavington and the idea has grown more momentum by the day. “It involved in to a fun day,” explains Sarah, “so we contacted Jeff and Sam at the council office on the urbanisation and they have helped every step of the way and this signed photo is great, I would love to raise around 800€ from the auction of it. We also have a signed Gareth Barry Manchester City football shirt so we may arrange a separate auction for that.”

The official programme of events is due to be released any day now and can be purchased for 3€ with all monies raised going to the AECC. There is a full schedule of live music plus giant paella, bouncy castles for the children and entertainment from the likes of Dance Extreme, TAABS and B-boppers.

But the fundraising efforts don't end there and are already under way. On Friday 6th July a charity golf day was held with dozens of golfers enjoying a game at El Plantio Golf in Alicante. Keen golfers and amateur supporters paid 50€ for a round of golf with a buggy with 10€ going directly to the AECC. The day was a great success and the final amount raised is still being counted.

On Saturday 14th July the fun continues with an auction at Ananda's bar in Urbanisation La Marina from 2pm. Anyone is welcome to donate unwanted items which will then be auctioned to the highest bidder with all money collected going to the cause. It is fun for all the family with killer pool, knock out darts and air squash and a Euro 2012 table football competition. There will be a small fee to enter the events with a percentage going to the charity. Karaoke continues in the evening with singers being asked to donate 1€ per song.

If anyone is interested or can help in anyway with the charity fun day and football match in July, please contact organiser Sarah on 606 184 924 or email her at sbav@hotmail.co.uk