Singer Pixie Lott holds celebrity football match for dementia research

28 Feb Singer Pixie Lott holds celebrity football match for dementia research

Singer Pixie Lott has teamed up with her uncle to fundraise for Alzheimer’s Research UK by putting on a charity football match between ex-professionals and celebrities.

Pixie’s uncle Ricky Bennett, 47, is running the London Marathon in memory of his mum Margaret Bennett, known as Peggy, who was Pixie’s nan.

The 26-year-old star decided to help with Ricky’s fundraising, and is rounding up a group of celebrities to go head to head with her uncle’s team.

Peggy, who lived in Sidcup, Kent, died with vascular dementia in 2014 at the age of 83.

Pixie is also raising the money in honour of her nan on her mum’s side, Amelia Martin, who sadly died with Alzheimer’s disease at 84 in 2012.

The charity football match will take place on Sunday 2 April at 1pm at the VCD Athletic FC stadium at Old Road, Crayford, Dartford, DA1 4DN. Tickets can be bought on the day for £5, with kids under 12 free with a paying adult. All profits go to Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Pixie speaking ahead of the match said: “I’ve always been a big supporter of Alzheimer’s Research UK and hope to raise lots of money for such an important and worthy cause at our charity football match.

“Both my nans were hit hard by Alzheimer’s and dementia so I know how difficult it can be to see someone close to you go through this illness.

“My uncle is running the London Marathon for Alzheimer’s Research UK in memory of my Nanny Bennett and also plays in a semi-pro team, so we thought this would be another great way to raise money. I’m so happy to be involved and play against his team with my own squad and hope to raise lots of much-needed funds!”

Kenneth Foreman, Sporting Events Manager at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “We can’t thank Ricky enough for his ongoing fundraising for Alzheimer’s Research UK, and Pixie for taking time out of her busy schedule to support the charity.

“In the UK there are 850,000 people living with dementia. Alzheimer’s Research UK is leading the charge to find treatments and preventions for dementia, which couldn’t be done without our generous supporters like Ricky and Pixie.”