Romsey Conservative Club Raises Over £3,500 for Romsey Young Carers with Star-Studded Charity Day

It was a day to remember on Saturday 11th October, when Romsey Conservative Club proudly hosted a special Charity Day in support of Romsey Young Carers – a local organisation providing vital help to young people who care for parents or siblings with a long-term illness or disability.

Ex-Saints Players & Romsey Young Carers

Romsey Young Carers approached the Club earlier this year seeking support after experiencing funding cuts alongside a significant rise in the number of young people needing their services. Determined to make a difference, the Committee decided to do more than just offer a donation — they would dedicate a day to raising both funds and awareness for this essential local cause.

Vice Chairman Nick Palmer came up with a brilliant idea: to host a Charity Day featuring some ex-Southampton Football Club legends. With several former players among the Club’s membership, it was not long before the Club was put in touch with Leroy Whale, who coordinates appearances by the Ex-Saints Legends and supports the charitable work they do.

From there, the planning began — and the local business community rallied in support. An impressive array of raffle prizes and auction lots were donated, including eight hospitality tickets for an upcoming Saints match from Garmin, which raised £1,320 in a silent auction. Additional generous contributions came from Hildon Water, Cavendish Menswear, Romsey Motor Factors, Greatbridge Motor Services, Drummonds Butchers, SES Autoparts, Licensed Trade Vending Suppliers, Flack Manor Brewery, LWC, Heineken, Romsey Conservative Club Members, and many others.

A first-team signed Saints shirt was also up for grabs, and Mark Dennis (ex-Saints player) auctioned a special hospitality day with himself at a Southampton FC fixture — a prize won by Simon Elkins of Bin n Gone with a generous £400 bid.

The Club was honoured to welcome a host of true footballing legends, including Matt Le Tissier, Andy Cook, Mark Dennis, Leroy Whale, Manny Andruszewski, Nicky Banger, Martin Thomas, Reuben Agboola, Dave Puckett, and James Beattie. These sporting greats spent the day mingling with guests, playing darts and snooker, signing memorabilia, and sharing stories — all while encouraging donations and helping shine a spotlight on the invaluable work of Romsey Young Carers.

Entertainment continued outside in the Market Place with a lively performance by the Romsey Old Cadets, who had the crowd singing, dancing, and even doing the hokey-cokey — joined enthusiastically by the ex-Saints players themselves, who even tried their hand at the drums!

Thanks to the incredible generosity of Club Members, local businesses, supporters, and the ex-Saints Legends, the event raised a grand total of £3,685 —a testament to the power of community collaboration.

The presence and generosity of the ex-Saints Legends made the day even more special,” said Nick Palmer, Vice Chairman of Romsey Conservative Club. “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who supported the event — from our members and local businesses to the football legends themselves. Together, we’ve made a tangible difference to young carers in our community.”

Chris Hall, Manager of Romsey Young Carers, added:

“We are so grateful to Romsey Conservative Club for organising such a wonderful day in support of our charity. It was a fantastic event that brought the community together. The funds raised will go directly towards providing tailored support and respite activities for local young carers.”

Romsey Conservative Club is deeply committed to supporting local charities and good causes. If you know of a community initiative that could benefit from their support, they would love to hear from you. Please contact them at info@romseyconservativeclub.co.uk.