Big-hearted BT staff pitching in to take Soccer Aid calls in Cardiff

If you’re planning to donate money to Soccer Aid on Sunday June 10, there’s a sporting chance your call might be answered in Cardiff.

That’s because around 90 big-hearted BT and EE staff from south Wales are turning their offices in Stadium House, Cardiffinto a Soccer Aid pledge centre for the evening.

They will be giving up their free time to answer calls whilst two star-studded teams – Robbie’s England and Usain Bolt’s World XI - battle it out at Manchester’s Old Trafford stadium. The teams this year will include Dan Carter, Michael Owen, Gordon Ramsay and Mo Farrah.

All public donations to Soccer Aid will support charity Unicef's work protecting children in the UK and globally. An incredible £24 million has already been raised through the event over the last 10 years. The Government has promised to match every donation – and so double the total sum raised.

In 2006, pop star Robbie Williams, who is a Unicef UK Ambassador, and his best mate Jonathan Wilkes came up with the idea of Soccer Aid. Robbie has captained the England team ever since.

BT’s Kit Evans, who is helping to co-ordinate activities at the Cardiff contact centre, said: “The excitement around the office is building as we get closer to the big match. It’s great that so many employees from different parts of the company have given up their own time to get involved. We’ve also been busy doing our own fundraising through fun games, selling sweet treats and raffling off tickets to the game itself.

“Our local businesses have been a great support and have been donating some brilliant prizes that we will be raffling on the night, with the proceeds going to Unicef.”

Elsewhere, BT Group volunteers will also be running Soccer Aid pledge centres in Belfast, Lancaster and Truro.

The star-studded Soccer Aid match will be broadcast live on ITV from 18:15 on 10 June. Donations can currently be made on the Soccer Aid website and phone lines will open on the night.

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