Stevenage FC is dedicating its upcoming match on Saturday to raise funds for its official charity partner, Letchworth-based Garden House Hospice Care.
The upcoming fixture against Burton Albion will be a key fundraising event, as the charity fully ‘takes over’.
The Stevenage squad will play in their third kit, complete with the hospice’s logo proudly displayed.
Throughout the day, fans will have various opportunities to assist the charity through raffle entries, text donations and bucket collections.
A mid-game spectacle will also take place, involving a friendly tussle between the hospice’s own ‘Harry the Bear’ and Stevenage FC’s mascot ‘Borough Bear’.
Upon visiting the hospice in December, team captain Carl Piergianni said: "They do fantastic work. To see the level of care people receive is very humbling."
Adding to the sentiment, defender Dan Butler said: "I didn’t realise just how much work the staff do - it shocked me.
"The funding is so important, people need the hospice."
Garden House Hospice Care supported more than 300 families within Stevenage last year
To maintain its services across Stevenage, North Hertfordshire and its surrounding towns and villages, an average daily fund of £15,300 needs to be raised.
That's a substantial increase from last year’s daily requirement of £9,700.
Lifelong club supporters and hospice service users, Vivien and Derek Underwood, have been backing Stevenage FC for close to 50 years and were thrilled when the charity partnership was announced.
They added: "When we found out Garden House Hospice Care was the club's charity of the year we felt so proud, it is such a brilliant cause.
"We bought the charity shirts that same day and wear them all the time to help raise awareness."
Charlotte, the daughter of former patient Christopher, is among the many who have seen the tangible benefits of the hospice's work.
Witnessing the impact of hospice care first hand, Charlotte said: "Without the Hospice at Home team, Dad wouldn't have been home for Christmas.
"We wouldn't have been able to do it without their help."
The special event at the Lamex Stadium kicks off at 3pm on Saturday, April 13.
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