Hospital to benefit from Bramall Lane derby!

Sheffield United’s derby match against the Owls has been designated as a special Children’s Hospital game.

United are to add a £1 voluntary charitable donation to the price of each ticket for the fixture at Bramall Lane on Friday, September 18.

The money will go towards The Children’s Hospital Charity’s £500,000 appeal to fund a new state-of-the-art CT scanner, which will benefit thousands of young patients and help keep the hospital at the forefront of paediatric care.

The televised game is also a high profile opportunity to signpost Sheffield’s bid to host 2018 World Cup games.

The ticket donation (fans can give a maximum of £2 for multiple purchases) is one of a number of charitable and 2018 World Cup-themed activities taking place on derby day at Bramall Lane.

Players from both clubs will warm up in special Back the Bid and Children’s Hospital T-shirts and a bucket collection will be held at the ground.

The Derby game will also see the return of giant inflatable ball featuring Sheffield’s 2018 Back the Bid logo, which will be paraded around the ground, and a race will be held at half time between children from both sets of fans.

The Children’s Hospital Charity is one of eleven chosen charities supported by the Blades throughout the season and the hospital features on the Owls’ club shirt.

Simon Argall, Operations Director at Sheffield United, said: “This televised fixture is a tremendous opportunity to raise awareness of The Children’s Hospital and its Charity to a massive worldwide audience and also show Sheffield’s support for the 2018 Back the Bid campaign.

“As a community club we support a number of charities and good causes so this is a great opportunity to help generate vital funds for the hospital new CT scanner appeal, which is a very specialised piece of X-ray equipment that will benefit of thousands patients each year.”

David Vernon-Edwards, Director of The Children's Hospital Charity, said: “We are thrilled that we are the chosen charity for both derby games taking place in the city and that both clubs are on the same team when it comes to supporting the hospital.

"The games will allow us to reach further into the community, tell more people about the great work of the hospital and most importantly help us fund a new CT scanner, which will benefit thousands of our young patients for years to come.”

Pictured: The money raised will go towards the new CT scanner

Sheffield Wednesday chairman, Lee Strafford, said: “The partnership between Sheffield Wednesday and The Children’s Hospital, the principle focus of which is of course the gifting of our shirt sponsorship, is something that all Wednesdayites are proud of, and this great sporting event can be something that all of the people of Sheffield will be proud of.

Naturally fund raising efforts have focused in on the Children’s Hospital with such activities increasing to highest ever levels, but many other good causes are also supported by Wednesdayites.

“The 2018 World Cup can be a catalyst for creating a positive legacy for our community and this event is an occasion through which we can drive awareness of the impactful role that Sheffield, with our unparalleled football heritage, could play as part of England’s bid.

Sheffield Wednesday always looks forward to competing at one of our old home grounds and on the 18th of September we have a platform to demonstrate to the wider football family the good that can be achieved through our great game.”

Ticket information for Sheffield United fans:

SUFC V SWFC

Coca Cola Championship

Friday 18^th September 2009

Kick Off 7.45pm

The game is a Category A* fixture, United supporters (non season ticket holders) purchasing tickets will be allocated 50 loyalty points.

Tickets will initially be on sale as part of a two match package.

Supporters purchasing tickets must also purchase one of the following fixtures:

SUFC v Ipswich (29/9/2009) – Cat C fixture, tickets just £10 Adults and £5 Concessions

SUFC v Doncaster Rover (3/10/2009) - Cat A fixture

Please note that for safety and segregation purposes, tickets will only be on sale to supporters who have a purchasing history with Sheffield United and are already registered on our ticketing system.

Should any tickets remain, they will be on general sale to Blades Members, Junior Blades, Super Draw Members and Official Supporters Club Members. One ticket per 2009/2010 membership card.

Monday 14^th September 2009

Should any tickets remain they will be on general sale. Up to two tickets per person, subject to accredited purchasing history.

All ticket sales are subject to availability. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

Please note tickets will not be available on line. Please note that individual matches purchased within the package are non refundable.