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Toshiba backs All Star football

Megan-and-supporters
Megan with David Dunn (2nd from right) and fellow event organisers

UK: Toshiba Air Conditioning and its distributor Cool Designs are to support a charity football match featuring well-known TV soap-opera celebrities.

The match between the All Star Xl and the Stars of Hollyoaks, Emmerdale & Coronation Street will raise funds for 19-year-old Megan Sanderson, who has a rare condition called fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), which results in tendons and ligaments turning to bone in an irreversible process, severely restricting movement.

Funds raised will go towards the purchase of a new powered electric wheelchair to improve Megan’s mobility and quality of life.

The All Star XI was set up 15 years ago to raise money for charities in the North East, and plays matches against other celebrity line-ups as well as professional players. To date it has raised over £300,000 for good causes.

As well as celebrities from TV soaps, it includes businessmen and local MP Edward Timpson. Representing the air conditioning industry will be David Dunn, director and general manager of Toshiba Air Conditioning, who will be playing alongside the likes of Steve Jones, formerly of Crewe Alexandra, and former Port Vale player, Clayton McDonald.

“We are delighted to be able to help by joining with Darrel Birkett and colleagues at Cool Designs in supporting this excellent initiative. It is such a worthwhile cause and will make a huge difference to Megan’s quality of life if we can achieve the aim of raising £15,000,” said Toshiba’s David Dunn.

Darrel Birkett added: “An important aspect of CDL’s activities is our contribution to the community – we support a number of local charities in the areas we are based. Megan has a particularly pressing need, as her existing wheelchair – on which she is totally dependent – recently broke and left her in a difficult position, and she desperately needs a new replacement.”

The match takes place on 17 July at Kidsgrove AFC, with the kick off at 2.00pm.

Meanwhile, if people would like to contribute, they can send a cheque to Darrel Birkett at CDL, Unit 8 North Hylton Enterprise Park, Hepworth Road, Sunderland SR5 3JT. Alternatively donate via: crowdfunding.justgiving.com/megan-sanderson.

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