The world’s biggest charity football match, Soccer Aid for UNICEF, announce that M&S Food, part of the Marks and Spencer Group will be a partner for the 2023 game. The match takes place on Sunday 11th June at Old Trafford, broadcasted live on ITV and STV.
This is the first time M&S has partnered with Soccer Aid for UNICEF, and this year’s sponsorship will see the company provide snacks and drinks to the talent, during training week and matchday.
Sharry Cramond, Marketing Director of M&S Food and Hospitality, said: “As a proud partner of UNICEF already and the home nations football teams, it felt like a natural decision to become a partner of Soccer Aid for UNICEF.
We’re big admirers of the match and it’s fabulous to see two of our ambassadors taking part for the charity. Hopefully, our Eat Well food can help fuel them for the big game and we wish Tommy and Paddy the best of luck!”
Kenneth Shepherd, Founder of Soccer Aid for UNICEF, said: “We’re thrilled to have M&S Food on board this year and welcome them to the Soccer Aid for UNICEF family.
We believe this is the start of a fruitful working relationship and we look forward to them attending their first training week and big event on Sunday 11th June, at Old Trafford.”
Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2023 debutants include; Jack Wilshere, Jill Scott, Gary Cahill, Karen Carney, Ben Foster, Francesco Totti, Nani, Gabriel Batistuta, Kaylyn Kyle, Bugzy Malone, Danny Dyer, Joel Corry, Scarlette Douglas, Leon Edwards and Tommy Fury. They will be accompanied by returning stars, such as; Usain Bolt, Paul Scholes, Tom Grennan, Lee Mack, Chunkz and Paddy McGuiness, another M&S Food ambassador. Also back is longstanding host and UNICEF UK Ambassador Dermot O’Leary, who will once again be joined by co-host and UNICEF UK High Profile Supporter, Alex Scott, as well as football reporter, Jermaine Jenas who will be a pundit for the game.
The line-up is further strengthened by a number of football stars including: Jermain Defoe, Gary Neville, Herman Crespo, Nicky Butt, David James, Eni Aluko, Patrice Evra, and Roberto Carlos. Harry Redknapp returns, but this time is joined by one of the biggest names in the music business, Stormzy, who will be co-manager for team England, whilst Mauricio Pochettino will lead the Soccer Aid World XI side, as manager.
Since 2006 – when UNICEF UK ambassador, Robbie Williams co-founded the concept – Soccer Aid for UNICEF has raised over £75m to help give children all over the world a happy, healthy childhood full of play. Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2022, at the London Stadium, raised a record-breaking £15m.
Right now, there has never been a more challenging time for children. Children are facing war, disasters, and other crises round the world and many are losing out on the happy, healthy, play-filled childhoods they deserve.
Soccer Aid for UNICEF is harnessing the power of football to protect play for every child – by taking care of their health, shelter, education, sanitation and more, it allows children the chance to just be kids and focus on the one thing that children love most – playtime!
The money raised from this year’s game could help UNICEF fight malnutrition, keep children safe in times of crisis, and get them back to school.
It could also help UNICEF provide vaccines against preventable diseases such as polio, so children around the world can get the best start in life.
To buy tickets for Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2023, please visit www.socceraid.org.uk/tickets, where a family of four can attend for just £60.