U's fans play their part in huge charity auction
Football fans from across the country have helped Sky Bet to raise £47,748 for charity Reverse Rett, following a month-long auction featuring over 700 items of signed memorabilia from every club in the Sky Bet Football League.
The Sky Bet Auction invited fans from across the country to bid on a piece of their club’s history from the 2013/14 & 2014/15 seasons, with all profits going to help the fight against Rett Syndrome.
Up for grabs were signed shirts and balls from every team in the 2014/15 Sky Bet Football League campaign, as well as exclusive, limited edition shirts and medals from each of the teams who gained promotion in 2013/14.
Edwin Martin, Head of Sponsorship for Sky Bet, said: “The response from the footballing family has been incredible.
“This is a fantastic cause and it’s great that we have been able to play our part, but the real thanks must go to all the fans and clubs who have got behind the campaign which will make such a difference to the charity.”
Memorabilia from Preston North End, who were promoted in the Sky Bet League 1 Play-Off Final raised £1948, whilst Sky Bet Championship winners Bournemouth raised a total of £1754.
The leading single item was a signed QPR shirt from the 2013/14 season with a Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Winners medal, which went for £2551.
Rett Syndrome is a neurological disorder that strikes children around the time of their first birthday affecting nearly every aspect of their lives; taking away their ability to walk, talk and use their hands.
Andy Stevenson, part of the team at the charity Reverse Rett, said: “We cannot thank Sky Bet, the fans, the clubs, and everyone who has got involved in the auction enough.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the amount raised, which will help so much in our ongoing research in the fight against Rett Syndrome.”
Sky Bet is donating proceeds from the auction to Registered Charity, Reverse Rett, who are the leading fundraising charity for Rett Syndrome in the UK.
Founded in 2010, funds raised will go directly to research to help beat the syndrome, which impacts thousands of people in the UK alone.