CELTIC FC Foundation and the Stiliyan Petrov Foundation have confirmed two cancer charity partners that they will work with to make a positive difference to patients and their families following ‘A Match for Cancer’.

This year’s charity game, sponsored by Dafabet and Laduma, will take place at Celtic Park on Saturday, September 8, 2018, with a 2pm KO, and tickets are on sale now.

The match will see Celtic legend, Stiliyan – who has bravely battled through Leukaemia since being diagnosed in 2012 – and Liverpool midfielder, James Milner pull together opposing squads from the worlds of football and entertainment.

Every penny raised will be devoted to tackling cancer through three equal beneficiary charities – Celtic FC Foundation, the Stiliyan Petrov Foundation and the James Milner Foundation.

Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity (GCHC) – the Schiehallion Ward.  The ward was named after the mountain – Schiehallion – by Professor Brenda Gibson, Professor of Paediatric Haematology at the Royal Hospital for Children – to mirror the journey for children with cancer. The Charity recognises that it’s an uphill struggle, but also recognises that you can walk up a path with lots of people who will help get you to the top.

The charity aims to provide a range of support services to help patients and their families affected by a cancer diagnosis.    

Funds raised will be devoted to the provision of patient and family treats, aiming to give young cancer patients and their families the opportunity to make special memories, throughout and after their treatment. Funds will enable the charity to organise special breaks away for young cancer patients, or to help purchase toys and games that can help to distract and stimulate children during the most difficult of times. Funds will enable families affected by a cancer diagnosis to make special memories, and to bring some joy and laughter, during the most harrowing of times.   

Beatson Cancer Charity – supports people affected by cancer, every step of the way. The charity based at the Gartnavel NHS Campus, makes the journey easier by transforming the way cancer care is funded and delivered.

From funding clinical specialists, research and education, to the provision of hospital wellbeing services and employment related support and advice, Beatson Cancer Charity invests in a better future for cancer patients and their families.

Monies raised will support the transformation of relatives’ rooms to greatly improve the lives of thousands of patients and their loved ones, helping to make their last moments together more precious and meaningful.

Families often stay overnight with their loved one, sometimes for long periods, when the patient is receiving end of life care or undergoing long-term procedures such as bone-marrow transplants. This is especially the case for the many young people who are admitted to the Beatson Hospital. Families also need discreet rooms where they can meet with consultants, often to receive distressing news.

The James Milner Foundation – set up around the time of Stiliyan’s diagnosis – has Bloodwise, the charity that combats blood cancer, as one of its major beneficiaries.

Celtic FC Foundation Chief Executive, Tony Hamilton, said: “Cancer affects people and families everywhere and it doesn’t pick and choose. We have an opportunity in September to alleviate some of the pressure people face and help those organisations who are best equipped to help people when they need it most.

“Buying a ticket and coming along to Celtic Park for the match or the dinner the night before will go a long way in helping us achieve our goals, and I would urge anyone who can do that to support us once more, and thank them for doing so.”

Stiliyan added: “The support that my family and I have received from the Celtic fans over these past few years has been truly amazing, I cannot thank them enough. It’s always so special to come home to Celtic Park.

“Our goal from this match is to help children and adults with cancer – and their families – to tackle the journey through diagnosis and treatment towards what we hope will be a positive outcome.

“It is a very special cause which is close to my heart and it’s an honour to be working with the Schiehallion Ward through GCHC and the Beatson Cancer Charity.”

Kirsten Sinclair, Director of Fundraising at Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity said:

“Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity are so grateful for the close, longstanding relationship with Celtic Football Club and Celtic FC Foundation, and the support that we have received for many years now has been incredible.

“Cancer is a fight that no child should ever have to face, but we are eternally thankful to everyone at the club and the Foundation for being there to help our children on their own cancer journeys.” 

Graham Soutar, Beatson Cancer Charity’s Chief Executive, added: “Beatson Cancer Charity is extremely grateful to Celtic FC Foundation and the Stiliyan Petrov Foundation for choosing us as one of their partners.

“The funds raised through this fantastic event, will allow us to give patients and families a much-needed place where they can spend time together, away from the wards and hospital environment.

“On behalf of Beatson Cancer Charity, I would like to say thank you to Stiliyan and the teams involved for working with us to make a positive difference to patients and their families, and for allowing us to say to everyone affected by cancer, ‘we’re with you’.”

Tickets for A Match for Cancer are now on general sale, on a first come first served basis – maximum of 10 per person – priced at £14 for adults and £6 for concessions*. 

Tickets are available to purchase online at www.celticfc.net, by calling 0871 226 1888** or by visiting the Celtic Ticket Office. The lower tier will be on sale in the first instance and Rail Seating does not apply to this match.

Premium tickets (£30) and corporate packages (£135) are also available by calling 0871 226 1888** (Option 4) or emailing [email protected] 

Celtic FC Foundation will also be hosting a fundraising dinner – An Evening with Petrov and Milner – the night before the match, on Friday, September 7. This will take place in the Kerrydale Suite at Celtic Park.

Joining Stiliyan and James on the night will be a host of representatives from both charity match squads.

Tickets are priced at £700 for a table of 10 or £70 per person and can booked via email [email protected] or telephone 0141 551 4321.

Mirroring the match, net proceeds of the dinner will be devoted to tackling cancer through Celtic FC Foundation (SC024648), The Stiliyan Petrov Foundation (1154131) and The James Milner Foundation (1146768).

* Concessions 65+/Under-16s.

** Calls cost 13p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge. Booking fees apply online and via our sales line.