Television stars are set to dust off their football boots so hundreds of youngsters can finally benefit from a potentially life-saving screening unit.
Household names, including GMTV presenter Ben Shephard, Olympic athlete Iwan Thomas, and former Eastenders star Dean Gaffney, are rumoured to be among the celebrities attending the football match in Dovercourt.
Sean Connery, Sir Elton John and Rod Steward have even played for the team – known as Showbiz IX – in the past.
The stars will be playing against former Colchester United, Ipswich Town and Norwich City footballers on the East Anglian Legends IX team.
Organisers say the event, on July 27, will ensure a mobile heart screening unit is finally up and running in Harwich.
The match is being organised by the family of Marcus Armstrong, who died, aged 28, when the main artery into his heart split.
Marcus, of Colchester, was a talented sportsman and died in May 2006.
His family has been fundraising for the screening unit in the town.
It will be for 14 to 35-year-olds.
So far, about £11,000 has been raised through events including a Hollyoaks soap stars football match, a golf tournament and Marcus’s brother, Adrian, running the London marathon.
Marcus’s dad, Tony Armstrong, said: “After this event we should have enough money to set up the screening unit for 20 local people. A lot will depend on how much money we make at the match.”
It costs £35 to screen each person.
The unit is provided by the Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) charity and can detect abnormalities in the heart.
“the whole reason behind this is to raise funds in our son’s memory to ensure other parents don’t go through the tragedy we did.
“When your son is one minute healthy and active, and then you get a phone call telling you that he’s been found collapsed, it’s a life-changing experience,” Mr Armstrong added.
Players confirmed for the East Anglian Legends XI team, who will be against the Showbiz XI are: Simon Milton, Mark Kinsella, Jason Dozzell, Paul Goddard, Chris Kiwomya, Mike Stockwell, Neil Gregory, Gavin Johnson and Kevin Beattie.
More people who played for Colchester United and Norwich City are yet to be confirmed.
Players for the Showbiz II team will be confirmed days before the event.
The match takes place at Harwich and Parkeston football ground, Main Road, Dovercourt. Kick-off is 3pm.
Tickets can be bought from A2B Taxis, Station Road, Dovercourt, and the football club. They cost £5 for adults, £3 for children and OAPs. Under 8s are free.
The event is being supported by companies DSV, WA Hills and Millard Consulting.
