£49,000 raised for Demelza Hospice Care from Berkeley East Thames football tournament

Berkeley East Thames has raised £49,000 for Greenwich-based charity Demelza Hospice Care as part of its annual five-a-side football competition.

Held last Friday, 30 September, at Goals Eltham in Greenwich, the tournament featured 40 teams from Berkeley, its subcontractors and consultants. Money was raised through entry fees and donations, with all funds matched by the Berkeley Foundation, the charitable foundation set up by Berkeley Group.

Representatives from Demelza attended to raise awareness of its work providing care for and supporting seriously or terminally ill young people and their families. Demelza is Berkeley East Thames’ charity partner and has a Hospice in Eltham, Greenwich.

Lavinia Jarrett, Chief Executive at Demelza Hospice Care for Children, said: “A huge thank you to the team at Berkeley for the generous support they have given Demelza for over 10 years now. Events such as their annual football tournament not only raise vital funds but also awareness of our services through their supplier network and the Berkeley Foundation, helping us reach more children and families who need us.

“As a charity, we’re almost entirely dependent on the generosity of our supporters to provide the funds that keep our services going. The money raised today will make a difference in helping us provide vital care and support for children with serious or terminal conditions, and their loved ones, not only today but in the future. We are so grateful”.

The five-a-side competition began with teams playing in preliminary rounds to determine whether they competed in the Cup or Shield. These knockout tournaments culminated in finals with Copley Ltd crowned overall champions by winning the Cup and Cognition Land + Water winning the Shield. Both teams received medals and trophies as well as a crate of beer for their efforts.

Karl Whiteman, Divisional Managing Director for Berkeley East Thames, said: “Demelza Hospice Care is doing vital work in the Greenwich community, and I’m delighted we could once again support it through our football tournament. I’m very proud that colleagues and our trusted partners were able to raise almost £50,000 and I’d like to thank everyone who supported the event. Congratulations to the winners and I only hope our national side can achieve a similar victory later this year at the World Cup.”

Berkeley East Thames is currently delivering two developments in the Royal Borough of Greenwich – the historic Royal Arsenal Riverside in Woolwich and Kidbrooke Village near Blackheath, which sits in 136 acres of green space including the newly designed Cator Park and Sutcliffe Park. For more information, please visit the Berkeley website: https://www.berkeleygroup.co.uk/ .