A football legend has been announced as a special guest at a upcoming dinner event in the North East.

Newcastle United Assistant Coach, Graeme Jones, has announced that England Head Coach, Gareth Southgate, will be the special guest at his upcoming Sportsman’s Dinner event in aid of the St Oswald’s Hospice.

The event is a partnership between the hospice and their recently appointed Ambassador Graeme Jones.

Graeme has planned the event alongside his wife Debbie and the team from St Oswald’s Hospice, as a way to show his support to the charity that cared for his mother, Rita, thirty years ago.

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Graeme’s Sportsman’s Dinner will be held at Gateshead’s Hilton Hotel on the evening of Thursday, February 16 2023 and will be hosted by award-winning radio presenter and commentator Justin Lockwood.

The evening will celebrate the work of St Oswald’s Hospice, with Graeme sharing his own personal story publicly for the first time.

On the night England Head Coach, Gareth Southgate who will take part in a live Q&A with the host, sharing stories from his illustrious career, first as a Three Lions player and now as a coach.

Commenting on his involvement in the event, Gareth said: “I am really looking forward to being part of the event in support of St Oswald’s Hospice. I have known Graeme since around 2008 when we did our Pro Licence together, and we kept in touch afterwards. I was delighted to have him join my coaching team for Euro 2020.

“When he personally asked for my support at this event, I really wanted to help. Hospices are vital parts of their local communities and I know that Graeme and his family were supported enormously by St Oswald’s Hospice many years ago, something he hasn’t forgotten. In his Ambassador role for the charity, he is able to use his profile to help make a difference, and I am proud to have been asked to join him and do the same.”

Anyone wishing to purchase tickets to this event should email KirstyMcDonald@stoswaldsuk.org.