- Select Car Leasing's annual soccer fundraiser 2026
- Charity match held at Reading FC's Select Car Leasing Stadium
- Teams consistent of Select staff members
- More than £1,500 raised for Reading FC Community Trust
- Celeb Jimmy Bullard helped to coach from the sidelines
A charity football match helped to raise more than £1,500 for the Reading FC Community Trust - with celeb Jimmy Bullard coaching from the sidelines.
The game was organised by Reading-based Select Car Leasing and was contested by Select staff.
Players made a donation to take to the hallowed turf at Reading FC’s Select Car Leasing stadium while the whole company also contributed, with all proceeds going to the charitable Trust.
Former footballer Bullard is an ambassador for Select Car Leasing and helped to manage both teams from the sidelines.
(left to right: Richard Witt of the Reading FC Community Trust; Mark Tongue of Select Car Leasing; Jimmy Bullard)
The keenly contested game was won 5-4 by a team captained by leasing consultant Charlie Cooper, despite his side having been 2-1 down at half time.
The match was also attended by Richard Witt, Reading FC Community Trust deputy manager.
(Players limbering up before kick off)
He said: “It was a great game and fantastic to see Select staff members enjoying themselves on the pitch. Welcoming Jimmy Bullard to the Select Car Leasing stadium made the day even more special.
“And, of course, we truly appreciate the money raised from the match. Without donations, many of the programmes the Trust runs would suffer.
“We’re also grateful for Select’s ongoing support, which includes the long-term donation of a minibus. Without it, our post-16 players wouldn’t be able to compete in the league - and they actually topped their division this year.
“That’s just one example of the many positive impacts being made and we’re grateful to have Select’s continued backing.”
The Reading FC Community Trust operates separately and independently from the club itself and works tirelessly to offer a safe environment to care for, develop and educate disadvantaged or at-risk young people within the Reading and surrounding areas.
Since 2024, the Reading FC Women’s First Team and its associated youth pathway has also fallen under the stewardship of the Trust.
As Principal Partner, Select Car Leasing has long been a champion of the Trust, and recently increased its investment in the charity while renewing sponsorship of Reading FC Women's first team.
(Select's CEO and Co-Founder Mark Tongue, left, with Select's Finance Director Barry Anderson)
Mark Tongue, Co-Founder and CEO at Select Car Leasing, says the annual event is always a highlight of the firm’s yearly calendar.
He added: “We’re longstanding allies of the Reading FC Community Trust and our annual charity football match represents a fantastic opportunity for us to contribute further.
“The work the Trust undertakes goes well beyond just football. It engages with more than 3,500 people from a wide demographic each and every week, providing everything from alternative school provision to holiday camps for the disadvantaged.
“The Trust contributes so much to the local community and we’re honoured to be able to support it how we can.”
(Dave Evans, Reading FC Community Trust Manager, with the donated minibus)
Besides being Principal Partner of the Trust, Select donates the use of a free minibus to the charity and has also donated thousands of pounds to support the Trust in its provision of school holiday camps.
The charity match was graced by many talented footballers, including ex-pro Alan O’Brien, a former Newcastle United and Swindon Town winger who is now Principal of Select’s Cotswolds office.
On the opposing team was Chris Waugh, a former Manchester United academy product who is now Assistant Sales Manager with Select Car Leasing Manchester.
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