A CHARITY football match in aid of a children's ward at a Wrexham hospital has raised over £11,000.

Wrexham Police FC took on FC United of Wrexham on Saturday (July 1) in a match that took place at Bronwen's Green in Wrexham.

The match ended in an exciting 3-3 draw with FC United of Wrexham then winning on penalties.

But the real winner on the day was the children's ward at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital, where the money raised will be distributed to.

A total of £11,284 was raised via the GoFundMe page (correct at time of writing).

READ MORE

Even Wrexham AFC co-chairmen Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds had done their bit to support the cause by donating a sum of money towards it.

Mascot for the police team on the day was a young boy from Wrexham who is battling Leukaemia.

It was a memorable day for Griff James, 4, from Coedpoeth, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in October 2021 and is currently undergoing treatment which will last until at least 2025. 

Griff spends a lot of time in the Children's Ward in Wrexham Maelor Hospital.  

The football match was played to raise help much needed funds in aid of the oncology department at the hospital.

The Children's Ward looks after children and young people from birth to 18 years from a variety of specialties including high dependency, oncology and chronic conditions such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, asthma etc.

Their service users come from all across Wrexham and Flintshire as well as parts of Shropshire, Powys and Gwynedd.

A statement from Wrexham Police FC following the match read: " FT score was 3-3 with a penalty shoot out victory to @FCUtdofWxm. The result is irrelevant, thanks to our opponents and everyone that’s donated and supported our fundraising for the children’s ward. The money will make a real difference for local patients and their families.

"It was an honour to have ‘Big Griff’ with us today as our mascot. Griff was diagnosed with leukaemia and is undergoing treatment on the children’s ward, despite this he fundraising for them, he’s our hero."

FC United of Wrexham added: "A massive thank you to the @WelshBlood who provided our @FCUtdofWxm mens brilliant warm up tops to raise awareness of the great work they do for the @NHSuk.

"We can’t believe how much money has been raised for our match with the @wrexhampolicefc for the Wrexham Children’s ward."

North Wales NHS Charity Awyr Las added: "Well done @wrexhampolicefc and @FCUtdofWxm on raising an incredible amount of money! We’re so happy to see Big Griff as your mascot for the game."