Football legend is a good sport for charity

Football legend, Mark Hateley, will talk about playing for top-level football leagues in England, Italy, France and Scotland at Action for Children Scotland's annual Sports Dinner tonight [Friday, 15 June 2012].

Over 200 sports fanatics from across Scotland will gather at Glasgow's Grand Central Hotel to mark the end of the football season - and celebrate the beginning of a summer of sport.

Real Radio's Peter Martin will host the event, which will see 21 teams from organisations such as Clydeport, Scottish Friendly Assurance and Ernest and Young LLP battle it out in the ultimate sports quiz. The fundraiser got off to a sporting start last week [Friday, 8 June 2012] when the teams went head-to-head in a football tournament at Murray Park. The Charity Cup was lifted by JRG Cleaning.

Paul Carberry, operational director of children's services at Action for Children Scotland, said: "As we prepare for an exciting summer of sport, I would like to thank everybody who cleared their schedules and abandoned their desks last Friday to take part in our annual football tournament. It was a great day and I know the young people who took part really enjoyed themselves. A special thanks to referee, Brian Winter, and Partick Thistle goalie, Ryan Scully, for taking part.

"Tonight's Sports Dinner is set to be a huge success, giving sports fans the chance to flex their brains in our quiz. The two events are expected to raise a total of £35,000 for Action for Children Scotland, helping us to continue to support the country's most vulnerable and disadvantaged children, families and young people."

Guests at the dinner will have the chance to ask 32-time England cap, Mark Hately, about his football career. He said: "Action for Children Scotland supports over 8,000 children, young people and families at 62 projects across the country - including services for young carers, youth unemployment schemes, and respite care for disabled children.

"I am very pleased to be here tonight showing my support for the charity and will be trying my best to win the sports quiz!"

Since the Charity Cup and Sports Dinner launched in 2004, the events have raised over £200,000 to help the country's most vulnerable and disadvantaged children, families and young people.

The events have been sponsored by paper exporters, PG Paper. Puneet Gupta said: "I am very pleased PG Paper was able to support the work of Action for Children Scotland by sponsoring the Sports Dinner. It is a great event which allows supporters to raise vital funds for a very worthy cause; whilst showing off their sporting skills in the quiz!"