Street scene staff in Liverpool are joining celebrities to take part in a charity football match on Friday 26 April to raise money to help prevent sudden deaths of young people from cardiac arrest.
Workers at Liverpool Street Scene Limited (LSSL) – which operates street cleansing, refuse and recycling and grounds maintenance services – will be among the squad taking on Prescot Cables Reserves at Volair Park at 7pm. Other players include boxers Liam Smith, Derry Matthews and footballers Leon Osman and Alan Stubbs.
They have been inspired to take part by their colleague Ian Riding, a refuse wagon driver, whose son Jack passed away while playing football with his friends in August last year.
The 18 year-old was a talented footballer who was signed by David Moyes at Everton FC Academy and played for Prescot Cables Reserves.
His family want to help raise awareness of sudden cardiac deaths and increase early diagnosis for young people by helping the CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) Foundation, which campaigns on the issue, to become more recognised.
The ultimate goal is to get regular ECG screening clinics for 14-35 year olds taking place at schools, sporting events and other venues.
Jack’s dad, Ian Riding, said: “I didn’t even know this condition existed until Jack passed away, but the fact is that 12 people a week die from it.
“For me this is about stopping people going through what we’ve been going through and making sure that as many people as possible get tested.”
Mike Brown, Chief Operating Officer at LSSL, said: “This is a really great event which our staff are proud and honoured to be involved in because it is so closely aligned with one of our employees.
“It will be a great evening raising money for a life-saving cause and raising awareness about a really important issue.”
Entrance to the game costs £2 and more information and donations can be made at www.c-r-y.org.uk/jack-riding
