A CHARITY celebrities v franchise industry football match has raised thousands of pounds for two appeals.

The match and family funday held in Leicester recently was set up by Hinkley based Recognition Express boss Nigel Toplis whose team beat the M1 Soapstars celebrity side 3-1.

The winning team was drawn from leaders in the franchising world including Recognition Express, Signs Express, Printing.com, X-Press Legal Services, Agency Express, Little Kickers, Legal 4 Landlords, The Wheel Specialists, Making Money / What Franchise, Job Done, Chantry Creatives and Dennis & Turnbull.

Celebrities who turned out for the M1 Soapstars team included the winner of this year’s best soap actor Danny Miller from Emmerdale, his co-star Adam Thomas, Anthony Quinlan from Hollyoaks and Lucien Leon from Waterloo Road along with Elliot Tittensor from Shameless.

Just under £7,000 was collected through sponsorship, admission and prize draws. The cash will be divided between two charities – £4,500 for children’s medical research organisation WellChild and £2,500 for Shannon Bradshaw Trust which helps children and their families in the North West cope with life-threatening illnesses.

There were eight signed footballs on the day which were sponsored for £250 each and a series of raffle prizes including a signed England shirt.

And the event was such a huge success the organisers have already decided to make the game and family funday an annual event. Around 300 spectators watched the match and also enjoyed a range of fun activities, raffles and events.

After the game Danny Miller said: “It was a fantastic game and everyone really enjoyed it. Both teams were very competitive and we were impressed by the standard of football played by the opposition. At the end of the day though the most important winners were the charities and we are very grateful to everyone who supported us so generously.”

Mr Toplis added: “Of course the best side won as we knew it would! But all joking apart we would like to thank the M1 Soapstars team for taking time out of their busy acting schedules and everyone who worked so hard to make the day such a success. We all enjoyed the match so much that next year’s match is already pencilled in the diary.”

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