EastEnders star hoping to raise as much as possible for Joel Richards
EastEnders actor Jake Wood has spoken ahead of a charity football match in memory of a Black Country family killed in the Tunisia terror attack.
The 44-year-old who plays Max Branning in the hit BBC soap will be playing alongside a host of famous faces including TV's Calum Best and former world champion boxer Joe Calzaghe at Walsall's Bescot Stadium on Saturday, May 13.
The funds generated will be donated to Compton Hospice, to mark its 35th anniversary celebrations, and Smile for Joel.
The latter was named after 19-year-old Joel Richards from Wednesbury, who was killed in the horror attack in Sousse in June, 2015.
His uncle Adrian Evans, aged 49, from Bilston, and grandfather Patrick Evans, aged 78, were also among 30 British tourists gunned down. Smile for Joel aims to raise money for victims of atrocities.
Speaking exclusively to the Express & Star, Jake told of how he wanted to get involved with the match after hearing the Richards' family story.
He said: "I was introduced to Suzy Richards last year and thought her story was absolutely awful – I cannot think of anything worse to lose your family members in that way.
"I felt very strong about it straight away and knew that I wanted to get involved with the match having met her. We just want to raise as much money as we can."
The match will pitch the 'Smiling Saddlers' against the 'Compton Wolves'.
Tickets are available from www.eticketing.co.uk/walsallfc and cost £10 for adults, £5 for children.