The Cricketers pub in Gillingham is set to bring together the community for an exciting day of sport, entertainment, and charitable giving as part of their sponsorship of the Celebrity Football Match hosted at Gillingham Football Club on Sunday, 18 May.
As passionate supporters of the charity, My Shining Star, Management Partners for the pub, Vanessa and Ian Cooper were honoured to be approached by the organisers of the football match to sponsor the event. But the couple didn’t want to stop there. Speaking of the opportunity, Vanessa said, “My Shining Star is a really important charity, supporting children’s development and wellbeing. Which is so important, and something Ian and I care deeply about. We raise money for them throughout the year, so we jumped at the chance to sponsor the players football shirts and then quickly set about organising a fun day here at the pub so that everyone going to the game, or anyone who couldn’t make it, could come along to the pub afterwards and help us to raise more funds whilst having a great time!”
The match kicks off at 3:00 PM at Gillingham FC, and the pub is open and has a variety of activities planned before and after the game. Families can enjoy a jumping castle and face painting for children, while raffle prizes add to the excitement. The entertainment continues with live performances from well-known artists Jamie-E, singing between 5:30 and 7:30 PM, and DJ Power spinning tunes from 8:00 to 10:00 PM.
A highlight of the day will be the meet-and-greet session with some of the celebrity guests playing in the game, who will be returning to the pub after the match to connect with fans and supporters. At least ten celebrities are expected to visit The Cricketers, helping make this a great event an even more memorable occasion for everyone involved.
For Vanessa and Ian, this is more than just a day of fun — it is a powerful effort to raise awareness and funds for this wonderful charity, uniting the community through sport and shared purpose. The Cricketers, already a beloved local gathering spot, is leading from the front.
Vanessa continued, “Our goal is to raise a significant amount of money and make this a national news story if we can. We want to show that children deserve care, education, and opportunities. Sport and the love of a community hub, like our pub, can bring people together and create positive change.”
The event underscores the pub’s role as a vital community hub, where local events like this one illustrate the power of community engagement. Vanessa and her team hope to attract supporters before and after the match, creating a lively, inclusive atmosphere that celebrates community, sport, and the future of our children.
Notes to editor:
Photographs: courtesy of The Cricketers