Together presents bereavement charity with £2,700 from celebrity football match

Cheadle finance provider Together has presented charity Once Upon a Smile with a cheque for over £2,700 after raising funds through events and a celebrity football match.

The charity, based in Trafford Park, was founded in 2011 by actors Daniel Jillings, who starred in Prey, and Danny Miller, who is in Emmerdale, who wanted to use their network of celebrity contacts to help support bereaved families.

Charity manager Daniel Jillings said: “We’re really grateful for the support from Together, not only with the football match but especially also through the colleague fundraising.”

Last year, Once Upon a Smile raised funds of over £100k to provide long-term support to bereaved families at their time of need, including Altrincham schoolboy Isaac Maley’s family after he passed away last August from an asthma attack.

The celebrity football match sponsored by Together at Altrincham FC was held in Isaac’s honour and attracted thousands of visitors, raising £26,000.

Local celebrities on the pitch included former Manchester United and England captain Bryan Robson, former defender Denis Irwin and City striker Paul Dickov.

Daniel Owen-Parr, national development director at Together, said: “We’re delighted to support Once Upon a Smile, which helps so many families in their hour of need.

“The football match held in Isaac’s memory was a truly special day and it was a privilege to be involved.”