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Wayne Rooney testimonial raises £1.2m for children’s charities

Manchester United Foundation is one of four charities that will benefit from the £1.2 million raised from the United skipper’s testimonial match, which took place last August against his former team Everton, in front of a 60,000 strong Old Trafford crowd.

| by Haylee Blease

Wayne Rooney testimonial raises £1.2m for children's charities

Rooney has recently set up his own Foundation aimed at inspiring and improving the lives of children and young people and is aiming to raise £5 million, with a range of fundraising events planned to meet that target. Selected alongside three other charities, including Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Claire House Children's Hospice and the NSPCC, Manchester United Foundation will use monies generated to continue its work with young people across Greater Manchester.

Commenting on the testimonial, which celebrated a remarkable 12 years at Manchester United, Rooney said: "I'd like to thank all the fans who came to the testimonial and made it such a special night. They've raised a huge amount of money for children who are disadvantaged and it will make a real difference to their lives.”

The Red's captain has been a great supporter of Manchester United Foundation over the years, meeting children with life-limiting illnesses at Dream Day events and delivering Christmas presents to young patients during annual hospital visits across Greater Manchester. He has also attended projects and has been involved in the annual #SchoolsUnited initiative, which celebrates the work of the Foundation within the local community.

Foundation CEO John Shiels said: "Lending his support to various initiatives, Wayne Rooney has become an inspirational role model for our participants. We are therefore delighted to enter this partnership with our club captain, working together to change the lives of young people across Greater Manchester.”