Rival Sheffield football fans put aside differences for charity

An annual charity football match between Sheffield United fans and Sheffield Wednesday fans has raised £4903 towards the build of a brand new, state-of-the-art helipad at the Northern General Hospital.

The Sheffield Fans Derby match has helped to bring the Helipad Appeal closer to its £2 million target.

The Helipad Appeal was launched by Sheffield Hospitals Charity in 2014 and aims to raise money for a new primary helipad, next to the Northern General Hospital’s A&E Department.

The new helipad will mean patients arriving by air ambulance can receive the critical care they need much more quickly.

The city rivals came together for the fourth Sheffield Fans Derby match which was held in support of Sheffield Hospitals Charity, bringing their total raised for the charity up to £15,086.

In previous years it has supported the Cystic Fibrosis Unit, The Cardiac Unit and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Sheffield United fans celebrated as they closed the game with a 6-4 win.

Iain Atkins, match organiser, said: “The derby is a great way to bring both sides of the city together and do something positive for charity.

“This was the twelfth derby event and it’s now a tradition to do it every year. As always, there was a great atmosphere at the game and good amount of friendly banter between the teams. Thanks to both clubs for supporting this great event.”

Isla Denoon, Sheffield Hospitals Charity fundraising manager said; “We are hugely grateful to everybody involved in the Sheffield Fans Derby. It’s a great, fun way for local people to raise money for local causes. We would like to say a huge thank you for their support.”