Alder Hey Fundraiser

Magical Moments at a Charity Football Match

Rimington, Ribble Valley, 21st April 2024

Last Sunday, Magic Mirror was invited to provide face painting at a charity event hosted at Rimington FC in aid of Alder Hey Children's hospital.

I am thrilled to share my heartwarming experience of being part of a recent charity football event held in the Ribble Valley community. On a sunny Sunday afternoon, Rimington Football Club buzzed with excitement as families and football fans gathered to support a worthy cause close to their hearts – raising funds for Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

Jack Fielding, the driving force behind the event, organised the day as a heartfelt thank you to the hospital for the exceptional care provided for his young son, Elliott. His gratitude inspired the entire community to come together in support of Alder Hey's invaluable work, and I was honoured to be invited to attend.

With brushes in hand and glitter at the ready, I joined forces to add an extra touch of sparkle to the event. Amidst the cheers and applause on the sidelines, children lined up eagerly to transform their faces into whimsical characters and adorn themselves in dazzling glitter tattoos.

The atmosphere was electric, filled with laughter and joy as the children picked out their football team's colours and chose their favourite shimmering designs. It was truly magical to witness their smiles as they embraced their newfound personas, even if just for a moment.

It was also a pleasure to connect with other local businesses that supported the event, including talented photographer Tony Kirk, who captured memorable moments from the day with his keen eye and creativity. Additionally, the delicious smell of Stonebakers' wood-fired pizzas filled the air as they catered for the crowd. 

But beyond the fun and festivities, there was a profound sense of purpose driving us all. Together, we raised over £4,000 for Alder Hey, a testament to the generosity and compassion of our community. This will support the incredible work they do in providing care, comfort and life-saving treatments for young patients.

The day was such a success that it attracted the attention of the Lancashire Telegraph, who covered all the details of the match and the fundraising efforts. If you'd like to contribute to this worthy cause, you can visit the fundraising page.e

As I packed up my brushes and bid farewell to a successful event, I carried with me the memories of the magical moments throughout the day and felt proud to have contributed to such a worthy cause that will make a real difference in the lives of those in need.

Elliott's mum, Rio Fielding, followed up with me after the event with a kind message: "Thank you so much for coming! Everyone loved their face paint and we will definitely use you again for other events."