Wembley's hallowed turf on offer to help local charities

Two pieces of Wembley Stadium's hallowed turf will be on offer when a bumper crowd turn out to cheer the Quakers on against Premiership team Bradford City in the Worthington Cup.

Darlington Borough Council secured the foot-square pieces of turf before the stadium is demolished and replaced with a more modern national sporting venue.

The council has teamed up with The Northern Echo to raise money for two of its charities, the annual Giving Tree Appeal and the Friends of Harewood.

Darlington Football Club chairman George Reynolds has agreed to let raffle tickets be sold at the first leg of the cup tie, at Feethams, on September 19.

Mr Reynolds has also promised to put some money into the fundraising pot for the two charities.

The Giving Tree appeal encourages people to donate money and gifts for children and families who are less well off. It raises an average annual total of £35,000. Harewood House is a respite care home for children who are profoundly physically or mentally disabled. The Friends of Harewood is its charity fundraising support arm.

Councillor Bill Dixon, council cabinet member with responsibility for social services, said: "Hopefully the raffle of the turf will provide a huge and early boost to the Giving Tree, which traditionally has raised over £35,000, and, hopefully, this year will raise £40,000. Anything we can raise for Harewood, I can guarantee will be put to good use for children with a disability, and we can use it to enhance the bungalow."

Darlington MP Alan Milburn, who secured the turf for the council, said: "Both the Giving Tree and Harewood Lodge are first rate organisations, providing desperately needed services and support to some of the most vulnerable local people in the community."

Mr Reynolds said: "If I can help out any kind of good cause, then I am only too glad to do so."

Tickets will cost £1 and will be on sale at Feethams on the match night