Airdrie Working Men's Club was the hottest ticket in town as it hosted appearances by famous faces including Wellerman songwriter Nathan Evans, Karen Dunbar and stars of Still Game and River City .
The celebrities were at the venue to kick on promotion of this Sunday's All Stars v Legends pro-celebrity charity football match at Airdrieonians' Excelsior Stadium.
Evans, Dunbar, Still Game actors Sanjeev Kohli, Gavin Mitchell, Jane McCarry, Matt Costello, Paul Young and Lynne McCallum Hall, Gayle Telfer Stevens and Cameron Fulton of River City , and Dee Hepburn, aka Dorothy from Gregory’s Girl, sold tickets for the football fundraiser - in aid of North Lanarkshire Suicide Prevention - and posed for selfies and autographs with thrilled visitors.
The open day was hosted by All Stars v Legends co-organiser Ross Owen, with the radio presenter "delighted" with how it went.
Ross told Lanarkshire Live : "We had an absolutely amazing response to our open day at the club.
"The celebrities who gave up their time to come and sell tickets for the charity match directly to fans were in great form and spent a lot of time chatting with people.
"Everyone had a great laugh and we managed to sell a great number of tickets for the game.
"A massive thanks goes to Gerry Orr, Jim Clark and Gordon Hunter at Airdrie Working Men's Club for their generous hospitality."
As Lanarkshire Live reported last month, celebrities will go head-to-head with footballing legends at Sunday's extravaganza.
The fundraiser has been organised by Ross, Airdrieonians FC and the Airdrie Community Trust with musician Evans being joined on the pitch by River City’s Stephen Purdon and Cameron Fulton, Outlander star Scott Kyle, Sanjeev Kohli of Still Game fame, Robin Laing from Band of Brothers and football pundit Peter Martin, as well as footballing legends including Airdrieonians’ own Owen Coyle, Bryan Prunty, Sandy Stewart, Andy Smith and Willie McGuire, along with Old Firm favourites Gordon Smith, Simon Donnelly and Marvin Andrews.
Last week, Lanarkshire Live told how sea-shanty sensation Evans said it will be “a privilege” to take part in the charity football match being held in his home town, while British comedy icon Ricky Gervais gave his backing to the exciting occasion.
Gervais said: “I’m sorry I can’t be there in person to watch the charity match on July 31, but good luck to everyone who is taking part at Airdrieonians Football Club.
“North Lanarkshire Suicide Prevention do a great job and it’s such a worthy cause.”
And Evans added: "It’s a privilege to play at the Excelsior Stadium. When I was wee I lived across the road from the ground, on Howletnest Road.
“I remember hitting the big red doors on the outside with a ball when I was younger, wishing I could play on the inside. Getting to come and do this is incredible.
“I used to play with a team when I was really young called Strathclyde Colts, on Saturday mornings, and multiple other teams.
“I cannot wait to play with Marvin Andrews; he just walks about with a big smile on his face and is always happy.
“I am really excited about the game and hope we can raise as much money for, and awareness of, suicide prevention.”
There are still tickets for the All Stars v Legends game, priced £8 for adults and £4 for kids, with free entry for under-fives , available here.
Pre-match entertainment, which includes a bouncy castle, a pirate ship, face painting, live music and a few surprises, starts at 11am with the match kicking off at 1pm.
- See next week's Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser for photos and full coverage of the extravaganza.
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