Celebrities, firefighters and survivors gather for thrilling and touching Game4Grenfell
The game pulled together to raise money for those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire did not disappoint.
Celebrities and footballers have been joined by survivors and firefighters to play a football match to raise funds for those affected by the fire at Grenfell Tower.
Played at QPR’s Loftus Road stadium, just a mile from the tower, the Game4Grenfell played in front of a sell-out crowd.
During the blaze, scores of firefighters put their lives in danger to save those trapped in the burning building and four such men took to the field on Saturday.
Greg Jules, Adam Foster, David Badillo and Dean Smith all took to the field.
Four survivors of the blaze entered the fray too – walking on at 80 minutes.
Also in attendance was survivor Nicholas Burton, who escaped from the 19th floor of the burning building. Burton walked onto the pitch to lay a wreath before the match, accompanied by QPR chairman Tony Fernandes and club legend Les Ferdinand.
“We’ve got a lot of old, tragic memories, today’s about making new ones,” said Burton before the game. “All the families are sitting together. We’ve come together and it’s very important we stay as a family. We’re a family now.”
The match finished 2-2 at the final whistle, after Kasabian’s bass player Chris Edwards scored the equaliser in the final 15 minutes – sending it to penalties.
One of the most eagerly anticipated appearances though was that of Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho as a goalkeeper – he came on in the second half – and soon found himself facing penalties.
The game was attended by thousands and, despite the excellent football, it was always clear what the day was all about – raising money and rebuilding.
