On Wednesday 24th September, a charity football match brought together the five Leicestershire building societies — Loughborough, Melton, Market Harborough, Hinckley & Rugby, and Earl Shilton — for a thrilling evening of sport and fundraising in support of Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People.
While Melton Building Society claimed victory on the pitch, the true winner of the night was Rainbows Hospice, with an impressive £1,756.50 raised through JustGiving and cash donations. The event highlighted the power of collaboration and community, with strong turnout from both players and supporters.
The evening also featured a raffle, with the main prize being a football signed by Leicester City FC players.
The match was the brainchild of Luke, Senior Telephone BDM for Intermediaries at Loughborough Building Society, whose vision and dedication brought the event to life. Reflecting on the inspiration behind the match, Luke shared:
“The idea for the match came after I volunteered at Rainbows in July, helping sort donations. Hearing how little support they receive from the government and how much they rely on donations really stuck with me — I wanted to do something to help. Thanks to the contacts built up by our Head of Intermediaries, Ashley, we were able to rally teams from other Leicestershire building societies and get everything in place for match day. The support from colleagues was incredible, and it was amazing to see everyone come together for such a good cause.”
With Ashley reaching out to other societies, Luke coordinated the event and kept everyone informed in the lead-up to match day. It quickly became a team effort, with Loughborough colleagues helping to secure the pitch, organise the trophy and signed LCFC football, and coordinate a fantastic range of raffle prizes.
On the night, Millie from our reception team brought Rainbows’ mascot ‘Bow Bear’ to life. Loughborough colleagues also kept track of the scores, monitoring points and goal differences — all contributing to a smooth and enjoyable evening.
Each society fielded at least seven players, all of whom gave up their evening to take part in a competitive and good-spirited match. The home crowd brought plenty of energy, cheering on Team Loughborough and helping make the night a memorable success.
Their efforts were praised by Hannah, Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser at Rainbows Hospice, who expressed deep gratitude for the support and generosity shown:
“That is such an amazing amount to have raised, and we really do appreciate all of your support. Your generosity truly transforms lives — whether it’s providing a space for families to laugh together, creating sensory experiences for children, or being there to guide them through their toughest days, your support ensures that we can continue to be a lifeline for so many.”
Many thanks to:
• The football teams, for their energy and teamwork both in the build-up and on the pitch
• The Loughborough colleagues, who managed logistics, scoring, and behind-the-scenes coordination
• Everyone who came along to cheer and support the teams
• And of course, Bow Bear, who brought smiles to everyone in attendance
The charity football match was a shining example of what can be achieved when communities come together for a good cause. It also reflects Loughborough Building Society’s ongoing commitment to supporting local initiatives and fostering community spirit. By uniting colleagues, neighbouring societies, and supporters for a shared purpose, we continue to champion events that make a meaningful difference — and there’s already talk of hosting another charity football event!
Visit www.rainbows.co.uk to learn more about how you can support their charity.