Rams boss gives children’s charity boots boost

Derby County manager Wayne Rooney has donated a pair of his signed boots to Children First Derby to help it raise cash to support vulnerable youngsters.

The England and Manchester United record goal scorer surprised charity team members, who were visiting the club’s Moor Farm Training Centre, when he approached them to ask about the work they do to support local vulnerable children, young people and families.

Keen to offer his support, the Rams boss decided to help the charity, which is collecting auction prizes for its upcoming Charity Spring Ball 2022, by signing and donating his bespoke white Nike football boots to be used as a unique charity auction prize.

The boots were specially made for Wayne in Italy, complete with a special interior lining.

Gina Repton, fundraising coordinator at Children First Derby, said: “We were thrilled when Wayne unexpectedly came over to chat to us about the charity.
“He was genuinely interested to learn about the support services we provide, particularly those which support our young people in the local community.

“We were absolutely delighted when he signed and donated his football boots for us to use as an auction prize – and we are extremely grateful for his generous support.”

Gina, along with fundraising officer Louise Webb and PR and marketing coordinator Kerrie Oxford, were invited to the training ground by Rams’ chief engineer and Children First Derby supporter Martin Smith.

Martin also asked the Derby County players to sign some club merchandise, which he has also donated to the charity.

It was handed over by first term players Festy Ebosele and Jason Knight, who also signed and donated their football boots as auction prizes.

Irshad Baqui, chief executive of Children First Derby, said: “Our fundraising team have been working hard to secure a wealth of fantastic auction prizes for our upcoming Charity Spring Ball 2022.

“The generosity shown by everyone involved in the visit to Derby County’s training ground has been fantastic, helping us secure some unique auction prizes that we hope will raise much-needed funds for the charity.

“We have been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity shown and we would like to thank everyone involved for their incredible support.”

The charity’s Spring Ball, sponsored by Smith Partnership, will be held at Morley Hayes on Saturday 26 March, which will include an auction.

However, due to the bespoke nature of the football boots, the charity has decided to set up on online auction for some of the prizes to enable outside bidders the opportunity to bid alongside those who will be attending the Spring Ball.

Bids can be placed for Wayne Rooney’s boots – click here.

Ebosle’s and Knight’s signed boots, as well as other signed Rams items, are listed here.