Club News

McAuley donates 'special' shirt to charity

Northern Ireland international to continue support for cancer charity

ALBION fans have long been proud of Gareth McAuley, the player who just never seems to age.

Now comes news of another reason why the man they call “G-Mac” is destined to add his name to the list of genuine Hawthorns legends.

While on duty with Northern Ireland, he has launched a raffle to win the shirt he wore during Northern Ireland’s EURO 2016 match against Ukraine.


It was his nation’s first appearance at a European Championship finals and McAuley scored the historic opening goal in the game which Northern Ireland won 2-0. 

All money raised from the raffle will go to the Cancer Fund for Children.

McAuley launched the raffle on a visit to Daisy Lodge, the charity's therapeutic short break centre where he and the rest of the Northern Ireland squad saw first-hand the difference residential support makes to the lives of families devastated by a childhood cancer diagnosis.

Following a tour of the facility the players had a meet and greet with families and ran a football skills session with some of the children.

And McAuley said: “I have been lucky in football to have had a lot of great experiences and to have some wonderful memories.

"I wanted to donate the shirt to the Cancer Fund for Children to give something back and to raise as much money as possible for a great cause. The shirt is something that is very special to me, so hopefully it will go to a good place.”

Cancer Fund for Children’s Corporate Fundraiser, Sorcha Chipperfield said, “We were beyond thrilled to welcome the Northern Ireland Team to Daisy Lodge and to meet some of the families we support.

"The team has already raised over £50,000 through the donation of match fees and charity collections at the Fan Zones in Belfast during their matches in France.

“It is wonderful that Gareth McAuley is also donating his signed football shirt which we are raffling to raise even more funds.”

G-Mac, who of course was on target for Northern Ireland in the 4-0 victory over Azerbaijan on Friday, will join Chris Brunt and Jonny Evans in the team to face Croatia on Tuesday night before returning to Albion.

To enter the raffle, click here.