Mayo de 2012 · Birmingham Mail
Aston Villa's ‘model pros’ are preparing for “Survival Sunday” by putting on a show to help other vital causes this evening.
Ahead of their crucial weekend clash against Spurs, Emile Heskey, Darren Bent and Carlos Cuellar will take to the catwalk, hosted by Selfridges, for Fashion Kicks.
It is a glamorous fundraising event run by goalkeeper Shay Given and his wife Jane to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and local charities.
Given lost his mother to the disease when he was just five years old and since then the Irish international has become an ambassador for Macmillan.
Tonight’s star-studded event The Point at Lancashire Cricket Club will feature Given and his team-mates along with a host of other Premier League names.
His former Manchester City colleagues Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott are among the footballers taking part, along with Bolton’s Kevin Davies.
Given’s Fashion Kicks events have raised more than £1 million in less than a decade and he is delighted his Villa colleagues are participating despite their precarious Premier League plight.
It is a cause which is particularly close to Villa’s hearts during Stiliyan Petrov’s battle against acute leukaemia and the captain had been planning to attend the event.
Fashion Kicks 2012 will feature a performances Got to Dance winners Prodijig and pop band Westlife and a Michelin-star meal.
“I’ve done it for about seven or eight years,” explained Given. “My wife is the chief organiser and she gives me orders telling me I have to do this or do that.
“A few of the lads from Villa have agreed and I’ve asked a few at Manchester City, Everton and Bolton as well. The fashion show is hosted by Selfridges, so it’s first class.
“The main benefactor of Fashion Kicks is Macmillan Cancer Support, although there are some other projects as well and we’re hoping to raise £200,000.
“I am a patron of Macmillan and it goes back to my mum dying of cancer. I lost my mum when I was five years old so it is something that is very close to my heart.
