Select's charity football match raises more than £1,000 for Sue Ryder

SELECT’S annual football fundraiser has raised more than £1,000 for palliative and bereavement support charity Sue Ryder.

Played between staff at Reading’s Select Car Leasing HQ, the yearly exhibition has been a fixture of Select Car Leasing’s calendar since 2022, with games played at Reading FC’s Select Car Leasing stadium.

This year saw a side managed by Joint CEO and founder Mark Tongue secure bragging rights having recorded a 5-2 win against a team watched over by fellow Joint CEO and founder James O’Malley.

Mark Tongue hands out winner medals — Mark Tongue hands out the winners’ medals at the Select charity football match

Goals from Ryan Amos, Tim Cowper, Matt Eldred, Charlie Cooper – and an own goal from the opposition – secured the victory.

So far, more than £1,000 has been raised with donations going to the Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice in Southcote, Berkshire.

James OMalleys side — James O’Malley’s losing side featuring Republic of Ireland winger Alan O’Brien (bottom row, second from right)

The hospice offers palliative care and support to people across Berkshire living with a life-limiting condition, as well as supporting their families.

Mark Tongue said: “The buzz around this year’s charity football match reached fever pitch and occasions like this are to be savoured as it brings the whole company together.

“But, of course, there’s a much more important reason to hold the match, and that’s to raise funds for Sue Ryder, a charity we’ve supported as a company since 2014. Many of us here at Select, and people from across Reading, have been personally touched by the incredible work the charity carries out and we’re extremely proud to be in partnership with them.”

In September 2022, Select Car Leasing also donated three Audi A1 cars to Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub South Oxfordshire, based in Wallingford, which currently enable Sue Ryder nurses to make essential visits to patients in the community.

Sue Ryder nurses with Select loaned Audi A1 — Sue Ryder nurses with one of the three Audi A1s donated by Select Car Leasing

Together, the hub’s team of nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, family support and befrienders provide a ‘Hospice at Home’ service, Day Service and Care Coordination and Advice Line.

Jennifer Patient, Community Fundraising Manager at Sue Ryder commented: “We are so grateful that Select Car Leasing chose to support Sue Ryder once again through their successful charity football match. The support we get from businesses such as Select Car Leasing means Sue Ryder can continue to provide compassionate end-of-life care for those that need it. We are so thankful for their support.”

This year’s Select soccer match was also intriguing for fans of Newcastle United, Hibernian and Swindon Town, as it saw ex-player Alan O’Brien taking to the field once more.

Republic of Ireland winger Alan, 39, is now a Swindon-based car leasing specialist with Select.

Select Car Leasing has been Reading FC’s Principal Partner since 2021.

The Select Car Leasing Charity Football JustGiving page is still live and welcoming donations.