SOUTHEND United Football Club are uniting with traders and employees from across South Essex to kick off some fundraising for charity.

The club will welcome staff from Barclays and other Southend professionals to join them on their pitch at Roots Hall for the clubs fourth annual football match in aid of Havens Hospices on Monday.

Fans will also get to see Blues Legend Adam Barrett back at Roots Hall once again as he will not only be coaching one of the teams, but may even join the teams on the pitch.

Adam Barrett, former Southend United Footballer, said: “I got involved with Havens Hospices, in particular Little Havens Hospice, early on in my career; I grew up in the area and am lucky to be in a position to give back, so I am delighted to be invited by Barclays to help raise funds and awareness for this fantastic charity.

“I look forward to coming back to Roots Hall for the evening to watch the teams play with fellow football fans!”

Younger supporters will also get a chance to test their skills with a half-time Cross Bar Challenge and there will also be an auction and raffle.

All proceeds raised on the night will go to both Little Havens Hospice and Fair Havens Hospice, to help the staff care for babies, children and adults with life-limiting illnesses and their families across Essex for as long as they need it.

Zac Morrison, six, if one of the youngsters who benefits from the hospice’s help. He has cystic fibrosis, epilepsy and a rare condition called Angelman Syndrome.

Thanks to Havens, which he has been visiting since 2015, his parents can enjoy moments with Zac as a family instead of being carers at the same time. His mum Amy Morrison, Zac Mum, said: “Little Havens is just amazing, it’s so hard to put into words, there’s just something about it.

“It has given us the break we needed but it’s so much more than that, it enables us to carry on. It helps us function as a normal family and that’s how I want us to stay.”

Gates open at 5.30pm, kick off is at 6.15pm.