Carra: Testimonial Money For Charity Is The Best Decision

MONEY raised from Jamie
Carragher ’s testimonial will raise
more than £1m for Merseyside
charities through Carragher's '23
Foundation'.
The Liverpool FC star and Crosby
resident attracted a crowd of
almost 36,000 people who
packed into Anfield on Saturday
afternoon to see Liverpool take
on Everton.
Speaking of what he had in
common with the youngsters
who will benefit from the money
raised, the number 23 told the
Herald: “I was in their shoes
years ago – running around the
streets of Liverpool. They are
hoping to achieve the same
things I have done which I ’m
very lucky to have done with
Liverpool. Hopefully one or two
of them will achieve good
things. ”
He added: “It’s great that I’ve
been at Liverpool for that long.
I ’m very proud of that fact.
Hopefully, I’ll go on to finish my
career at Liverpool.
“The main thing is this
testimonial and to raise lots of
money for charity. It ’s something
that doesn’t happen that often so
it’s something to enjoy. It’s
something myself and my family
are very proud about. ”
Asked how good it was to give
back to the community through
his foundation, he added: “Yes it
really is. A lot of people would
like to do that. I ’m fortunate to
be in that position so it’s only
right that you give the proceeds
to charity. ”
Carragher, who grew up on
Marsh Lane, Bootle, was thankful
for the support that went into
organising the testimonial and
when asked to pay tribute to
anyone in particular he said: “It
would be wrong just to mention
one person. There are a lot of
people who have helped to
organise this testimonial and
they ’ll all get a big thank you
from me.”
The match ended 4-1 to the Reds
and Carragher converted
penalties for both Liverpool and
his boyhood team Everton.
Later in the BT convention centre
a glittering black-tie dinner
brought an end to an emotional
weekend for the Liverpool FC
legend.
The event on Saturday night
attracted celebrities from the
world of sport, TV and music as
well as former colleagues and
dozens of guests from the
business world.
Guests at the £200-a-head dinner
were entertained by compère
John Bishop with music from
James Skelly of The Coral and
James Walsh from Starsailor.
Among those attending were
former LFC manager Gerard
Houllier, Bruce Grobbelaar,
Michael Owen, Joe Cole, Emile
Heskey and TV presenter Jeremy
Kyle.
Evertonian Paul Lawrenson told
the Herald: “It was an absolutely
fabulous night. The gala started
at 8.15pm and it went onto
about 1pm. John Bishop was
hilarious.
“It was one of the best days of
my life. I saw my son Cameron
play at Anfield at half time and
then had a fantastic night at the
BT convention centre later on.
The food was marvellous as
well. ”