A charity launched by football superstars raised more than £350,000 at a gala on Thursday night after a headline performance from Oasis legend Noel Gallagher had celebs partying into the early hours.
Football for Change was launched last year by Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, new Everton recruit Conor Coady, plus Sky Sports pundit and ex-Red Jamie Carragher alongside a host of business leaders and leading PR firm ThisGeneration Communications (TGC).
TGC organised the star-studded evening at Emirates Old Trafford on Thursday and secured rocker Noel Gallagher, who played a set filled with Oasis classics alongside his High Flying Birds band, for a 600-strong crowd of business owners and celebrities.
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Jamie Carragher, the chairman of Football for Change, spoke to the room about his ambitions for the charity and the pride he has in seeing the movement develop at a rapid pace.
Football for Change has already sent 40 disadvantaged young people to the United States of America for a sports and education visit and is building an education hub in Bootle. It has also helped homeless youngsters back into work and accommodation.
Melanie C performed an acoustic set at the gala, which had the crowd on their feet early in the evening, while Vernon Kay hosted the event. Sky Sports presenter Pete Graves then turned auctioneer and managed to raise more than £300,000 with a series of incredible, once-in-a-lifetime prizes available.
An all-expenses paid meet-and-greet with David Beckham in the USA to watch his Inter Miami football team was sold for more than £30,000, while a prize donated by Formula 1 went for over £20,000. Noel Gallagher then signed a series of his guitars to auction, fetching another £20,000.
Everton, Liverpool and Manchester United also donated exclusive meet-and-greet prizes alongside the likes of Calvin Harris, BT Sport, Westlife, Alan Carr and Carragher. A silent auction raised a further £30,000, which brought the total to over £350,000 on the night.
Coleen Rooney, Jason Manford, Samia Longchambon, Tina O'Brien, Brooke Vincent, Angela Rayner MP and Olivia Atwood enjoyed the spectacular event, alongside football names such as Michael Carrick and Steve McManaman.
The celebrities partied into the small hours, taking pictures with fans and loving the performance from Noel.
After the gala, Jamie Carragher said: "I am thrilled at the amount raised in just one evening for Football for Change. This money will help change the lives of so many disadvantaged young people. £350,000 is an unbelievable amount!
"It was brilliant of Noel to come and perform for us, as well as Melanie C and Vernon Kay. They were incredible. It really was an unbelievable night and the people who attended are helping make such a change.
"I am also proud of the work ThisGeneration put into organising the event. It was a success from start to finish and it does not stop here. Football for Change is growing stronger and will continue to help those who need it most."
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