Quinn benefit to fund kids charities
Sunderland striker Niall Quinn is to help street children in Calcutta from the proceeds of his benefit match next month.
The 35-year-old Irishman is determined to raise £1m (€1.6m) from the game between Sunderland and the Republic of Ireland at the Stadium of Light on May 14 and to give every penny of it away to charity.
Children’s hospitals in Dublin and on Wearside will receive cash windfalls from the game, but some of India’s most needy youngsters will also benefit.
Quinn will donate a proportion of the proceeds to GOAL’s Street Children Programme in Calcutta, a project set up to improve the quality of life for impoverished children in urban districts.
The players who will take part in the game have been sent cards by many of the children being helped by the programme, and will be kept informed of how the money they raise will be used.
‘‘I think this is an exceptional programme and I’m delighted that we will be able to lend our support,’’ said Quinn.
‘‘Supporting this scheme really is in keeping with the spirit of what I’m trying to achieve here as it will benefit the children immensely.
‘‘The cards I have from the children are fabulous and I’m going to give one to every player. I think the players will be really touched by them and it will give them a memento of the match.
‘‘I hope the players will stay in contact with the children so that they can appreciate the difference that they money has made.’’
The main objective of the programme is to provide food and shelter for the 4,500 children for whom it cares and help them to return to mainstream education.
For further information on tickets and donations contact 0044 191 551 5151.
