by Rebecca Sheeres

Celebrities are set to take to the field this Sunday at Gallagher Stadium in Maidstone for a charity football match.

The match organised by charity Young Lives Foundation aims to fundraise and celebrate their work helping disadvantaged children.

A host of politicians and sporting icons will be playing at Maidstone United’s home stadium including former England cricketer Geraint Jones, Maidstone United’s manager Jay Saunders, Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott and MP for Chatham and Aylesford Tracey Crouch.

Stephen Gray, CEO of Young Lives Foundation said: “This fantastic family friendly event will celebrate the huge achievements made by the young people we support.

"There is negative publicity involving young people at present such as gangs and knife crime but here at YLF we can offer alternatives and this match will include some of our young people who we have successfully helped.

"Awareness and money raised from this event will enable YLF to support more young people like this to receive the vital services we provide.”

Local organisations such as Kent Sports Trust have shown support for the upcoming match.

CEO of Kent Sport’s Trust, Steve Wolfe, said: "Having staged a charity football game at the superb Gallagher Stadium a few years ago, the team at Kent Sports Trust were only too delighted to support this great event for the Young Lives Foundation.

"Bringing some of our ambassadors to the event will be a real privilege and we hope the sporting community in Kent gets behind what will be a fantastic day.

"Games like these not only raise valuable funds for charity, but serve to inspire people to be active and at Kent Sports Trust, we are keen to see if we can change lives through sport."

Other organisations showing support are Street Soccer Foundation, Maidstone United F.C, Maidstone Grammar School and Hospitality Finder.

YLF’s Fundraising Manager Karen Knight said: “We are very excited and proud to be working with these organisations to bring this amazing charity football match to Maidstone on the Sunday, June 10.”

Gates will open at 1pm and tickets can be bought here.