Colleagues and residents warm up to take part in the Bernie Smith Cup charity football tournament

Yarningdale care home in Codnor, Ripley are set to host the Bernie Smith Cup, a five a-side charity football tournament named after one of our football loving service users, which will pit Exemplar Health Care homes against other local teams to raise money for The Matt Hampson Foundation.

The event will take place from 11:00 on 7 July 2024 at the Robert Martin Sports Ground and will see eight teams made up of Exemplar Health Care colleagues and residents from Eastlands, Meadowcroft, Willowbeck and Yarningdale and includes Regional Director of Operations, James Rowley, as player manager, to compete for the coveted Bernie Smith Cup trophy.

The teams have already started to establish their presence in the tournament by creating badges and giving themselves a nickname, such as Riley’s Rangers and Ward’s Warriors. They’ll also be joined by a team from a local pub and an all stars charity team from the sports ground to compete for the winner’s trophy.

Residents are set to manage the teams on the day and have already begun to learn songs and make banners to display from the stands whilst cheering on their team.

The Matt Hampson Foundation provides advice, support, relief and treatment for anyone aged 16 or over suffering serious injury or disability which has primarily arisen from participation in or training for any sport or sporting activity.

The tournament is expected to bring in an excited crowd to watch some brilliant football action throughout the day, whilst bringing together the community and fundraising for a great cause.

Yarningdale Home Manager, Alison Walvin, shared:

"The Bernie Smith Cup is more than just a football match and we’re excited to bring people together to fundraise for an amazing charity. We’re football mad at Yarningdale, so the excitement around this event is huge, almost as much as the Euro’s The Matt Hampton Foundation does incredible work, and we’re proud to support them."

Spectators are encouraged to attend from Exemplar Health Care homes and the local community, entry for spectators is free and various charity activities are planned throughout the day. Raffle tickets will also be on sale for attendees, including prizes such as afternoon tea for two, a hair voucher and more.

All proceeds will go directly to the foundation and the winning team will take home the Bernie Smith Cup.

Register your interest and keep up to date on the event through the homes Facebook event.