Southend United’s former manager Phil Brown visited Little Havens after helping raise over £30,000 for the charity with Barclays Bank and local businesses.

Barclays Bank and a host professional firms have organised an annual charity match at Roots Hall for the past four years in aid of Havens Hospices which incorporates Fair Havens Hospice for adults, Little Havens Hospice for children and The J’s Hospice for young people.

This year’s event raised £33,000.

Dave Oram, Event Organiser, said “Southend United and Phil Brown have always played a big part in the event and subsequently the fundraising.

“Part of the fundraising is a lunch on the top floor of Barclays head office in Canary Wharf and we were delighted that once again Phil gave up two of his days off to host these lunches. The contribution from this was instrumental in our reaching a record amount of £33,500 bringing our running total to over £100,000 over the past four years.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has helped us raise such a phenomenal amount for a fantastic local charity.

“The match will return this year on May 17 at Roots Hall with former Blues’ Manager Steve Tilson and Blues’ Legends Danny Greaves and Adam Barrett already pledging their support.

“We are hoping a few more legends will return for our 5th year – so watch this space.”

The firms supporting the Barclays’ Play on the Pitch are BTMK, Rickard Luckin, Barrons, Nairnsey Fisher and Lewis, Ayers and Cruiks, MWS, Wilkins Kennedy, Paul Robinson and Barclays Bank.

Lydia Plews, Coorporate Fundraiser at Havens Hospices said: “On behalf of Havens Hospices, I would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone involved with Play on the Pitch 2017.

“We must raise over £100,000 each week to be there for everyone who needs us, helping to control pain and medication, offering respite and caring for adults, young people and children at the end of their lives.

“Havens Hospices can only exist because of the kindness of our supporters, like Barclays and the Southend business professionals who put on these events and continue to raise an incredible amount of money year after year.

“Together, they’re making every day count for those who need us.”