Rochdale cops swap handcuffs for shinpads - all in the name of charity!

Officers from our Rochdale district are swapping their handcuffs for shinpads as they ready themselves for a run-out at the town’s Spotland stadium next week, all in the name of charity.

A squad of 20 from the division will be playing against local community group Bangladeshi Arts and Sports Association (BASA) Rochdale CIC on Monday 23 May to raise funds for the Springhill Hospice.

The game is a re-match of BASA’s 5-0 victory when the teams first met 12 months ago, after BASA reached out to local officers with the aim of using sport as a medium to bring diverse communities and the police closer together.

Known as the Community Cohesion Cup, the match marks the strong relationships being built by GMP and members of its minority groups in Rochdale to tackle social exclusion in society.

The stakes have been risen further for this year’s edition as it sees the fixture played in front of a crowd at Rochdale AFC’s Crown Oil Arena.

Spectators can pay to see the game on the day; with adults paying on the gate for £2 and children just £1.

All proceeds will go to Springhill Hospice – a Rochdale-based charity offering palliative care to patients and their families from diagnosis to end-of-life – a service that is close to the heart of players in both teams and to whom this event will give back to those who are dedicated to serving Rochdale.

Harrison Cunliffe, Operation Support Officer at GMP Rochdale – and one of the main organisers for Monday’s game – said: “We’re delighted to be facing BASA for a second year running, and hope for an improvement in fortunes after last year’s defeat!

“It’s a fantastic event that will be raising vital funds for a brilliant cause – and it demonstrates the power of sport in being a medium for people from all walks of life to come together to do something we all love.

“Monday night’s game is bound to be a brilliant occasion and I urge anyone in the town to come down to Spotland for one final time this season to donate money to an excellent charity in Springhill Hospice, and – hopefully – see a good game of football, too!”

Before the 7pm kick-off, a minute’s silence will be held in memory of David Dale – a lifelong Rochdale AFC fan who hoped to take his grandson to the game for his first Spotland visit.

David is the father-in-law of Doliz Miah – the managing director of BASA – and our thoughts remain with his family at this difficult time.

To donate towards Monday’s game, please give generously, if you can, here: https://justgiving.com/fundraising/basarochdale