On Friday 31 July, two STA squads, STA Lions and STA Thunder, played each other under the lights at the Gallagher Stadium in Maidstone. It started as an idea for an after-work kickabout. Months of planning later, it was a full fixture in a professional stadium, and it raised £5,660 for Heart of Kent Hospice.

On the day

Colleagues, family and friends filled the stands for a 7.30pm kick-off. Both sides wanted to take the trophy back to the office, and the 90 minutes were played that way. 12-1 to STA Thunder.

A player in a navy number 5 shirt applauds as both teams leave the pitch at sunset
A player in a yellow and black kit smiling on the pitch during the charity match
Players in yellow and black kits on the artificial pitch, one sitting on the grass, during the charity match

More from the day

There was plenty happening off the pitch too, with a match day programme and bucket collections going round the ground. Supporters kept giving after the final whistle, through the online fundraising page and on the night.

A player in a navy number 7 shirt helps up a teammate lying on the pitch A player in a yellow and black kit stands at the corner flag while spectators applaud in the foreground The winning team in yellow and black kits celebrating with the trophy after the match
“Heart of Kent Hospice supports local families through the toughest moments they’ll face, and it runs almost entirely on people turning up and doing things like this. To everyone who gave, thank you.”
Matt Quinn, Managing Director, STA International

Heart of Kent Hospice

Heart of Kent Hospice has cared for people across the county for 35 years. Patients never pay for its care, so it depends on local fundraising. The hospice cares for more than 2,000 people in the community and supports thousands of their families and loved ones. Its services include an Inpatient Unit, specialist dementia care, support for carers and the Compassionate Neighbours project, which tackles isolation for people living with terminal illness or frailty. The £5,660 raised by STA goes directly towards that work.
Visit the hospice site → (opens in a new tab)