Law firm 's charity football event raises over £5k

More than 100 employees of Gowling WLG, Aston Villa FC, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Games sponsors and clients of Gowling WLG have taken part in a charity football event at Villa Park.

The six teams each played one match on the famous Villa Park turf and were cheered on by more than 250 spectators in the Trinity Road stand.

In total, the event raised over £5,000, exceeding its £2,500 target.

The funds raised were distributed equally between the Aston Villa Foundation, the charity that delivers the community and social responsibility work of Aston Villa FC, and United by 2022, the official legacy charity of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Charles Brant, client activation manager at Gowling WLG, said: "One of the main aims of the Birmingham 2022 Games is to bring people together and improve health and wellbeing.

"We wanted to put on a unique and inclusive event in the spirit of this for the benefit of our people, community and clients and it has been a huge success.

“Thanks to everyone that has helped bring this to life including the team at Aston Villa, without whom this would not have been possible and to all the supporters for every penny we have managed to raise towards important local causes."

Guy Rippon, head of the Aston Villa Foundation, added: "We are very grateful to Gowling WLG for nominating the Aston Villa Foundation as one of the beneficiaries of the fantastic event at Villa Park.

“The Aston Villa Foundation focusses its efforts on the communities that surround Villa Park and the funds raised at the event will contribute to this year 's Aston Community Games.

“The annual event provides free sporting activities for families living around the stadium, bringing the community together. This year the event will be held in Aston Park in July during the games."

Nicola Turner, director of legacy at Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022, said: “It was brilliant to see people enjoying this event and taking this new charity to their hearts.

“We set up United By 2022 to ensure that the legacy doesn 't stop when the Games does and support from organisations like Gowling WLG in the region will help us on our journey to make our ambitions reality.

“For us, the Games is just the start of what can be achieved when business, the third sector and public sector all pull together. ”

International law firm Gowling WLG is exclusive Official Legal Advisers for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.