The LSA Group, a new organisation set up to help the sports stars of today plan for their futures, has organised a special launch event to raise money for a West Midlands-based children’s charity and to say goodbye to Blues legend “Big Kev” Francis, who is emigrating to Canada this summer.
TV star Ainsley Harriott will be cooking up a storm on the barbecue and will be joining a host of well-known faces from the world of football, cricket, athletics and rugby to raise much-needed funds for the Joseph Foote charity.
Seven-year-old Joseph from Birmingham was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour when he was just two years old. Since then he has to have the cancer removed twice and has received a variety of treatments. Now his parents work to raise money for research into childhood cancers and have to date raised almost £1 million.
Ainsley Harriott will host a charity auction at the LSA Group launch event this Sunday June 26th at the Old Silhillians Rugby Club in Solihull. Some of the items which will be up for auction include exclusive sporting memorabilia, a day at Silverstone, sought-after tickets for sold-out pop and comedy concerts, one-off pieces from some of the UK’s top designers and the chance to spend the day in the press box following a West Midland’s Premiership football team of your choice.
The event will also recognise the career of Birmingham City FC legend Kevin ‘Big Kev’ Francis as he prepares to move to Canada with his family. The 6ft 7 ins player was hailed a hero at Birmingham City having played for the club for 3 years.
Jerry Gill, Director of Sports Integration for the LSA Group and current professional football player, said: “The LSA Group is a new and much-needed addition to the world of sport. So many high-profile stars don’t plan for their future and don’t realise how hard life can be once their sporting careers end at the age of 34 or 35.”
Jerry continued: “We’re hoping to see around 400 sports and business professionals at the launch event where we’re planning to raise lots of money for an extremely worthy cause. The auction prizes are real ‘one-offs’ and I’m sure everyone at the event will be tempted to put their hands n their pockets!”
The event takes place at Old Silhillians Rugby Club in Solihull and will have a Caribbean theme with Ainsley Harriott cooking on the barbecue and hosting the auction. There will also be a steel band and a reggae and soul band to entertain guests.
The event runs from 1.30pm-9.30pm. Children are welcome.
For more information and ticket availability please contact the LSA Group on:
0870 750 2035.
Footnote: -
34-year-old Jerry Gill currently plays in defence for League Two football club, Cheltenham Town. The former Birmingham City defender was forced to consider his future when a serious knee injury left his football career hanging in the balance. However, Jerry had already planned for his future by becoming involved with the LSA Group as its Director of Sports Integration. Jerry, father to eight-month-old Morley, can talk about his fears for his future when he learnt of his injury and how he sunk into a deep depression before realising he could have a life after football.
For more information on the LSA Group log onto http://www.lsagroup.co.uk/