John Barnes is guest of honour at Sportsman’s Dinner for Make A Change For Ben campaign

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Former Liverpool FC and England legend John Barnes will be the guest of honour at a special Sportsman’s Dinner being hosted by the Make A Change For Ben campaign. 

The evening aims to raise funds for the campaign and to pay tribute to the inspiration for the group, Ben Smith-Crallan, who died after falling into the lake at Botanic Gardens in Churchtown in Southport in June 2018. Ben was just 37 years old when he died.

Organisers want to raise as much money as possible to ensure the cleaning of the lake, the provision of water aeration fountains and safety railings along the water’s edge. 

The Sportsman’s Dinner is being organised by Ben’s cousin, Lucy Smith-Crallan.

She said: “I’m super proud to announce on Thursday, 28th October we will be hosting a Sportsman’s Dinner to raise money for the campaign in Ben’s memory.

“The event will take place at Bliss Hotel on the Promenade in Southport.

“Our Guest Speaker on the night will be Former Liverpool FC and England star and TV pundit John Barnes.

“We really want this to be not only a fundraising event but also a night to remember Ben, who would have loved to be there 

“Let’s remember this cause can help prevent this from ever happening again.

“No family should have to go through losing someone so unnecessarily.

“If everyone could share news of this Sportsman’s Dinner, please do so.”

Guests will be able to enjoy a three course meal, with a raffle and an auction on the night, with tickets £70 each. Tables of 8 will be discounted to £500 per table.

For tickets please call Lucy on: 07811391320 or email: [email protected]

John Barnes is one of the greatest players to ever represent Liverpool. There were few finer sights in football than the mercurial winger gliding down the wing.

He signed for Liverpool in 1987 and won the league title in his first season, which included a record-equalling 29-game unbeaten run.

Success in the 1989 FA Cup final followed, and a third successive campaign of breathtaking brilliance from Barnes in 1989-90 helped secure another league title. That year, the winger top-scored with 22 league goals and was again voted FWA Player of the Year.

His England career saw him gain 79 caps with 11 goals, one of which was possibly England’s greatest ever goal – a solo effort against Brazil in the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro in June 1984. He played in the 1986 and 1990 World Cups. 

John Barnes also proved himself an accomplished rapper with his efforts on the ‘Anfield Rap’ and New Order’s ‘World in Motion’.

Lucy Smith-Crallan is keen to secure any raffle or auction prizes for the Sportsman’s Dinner. 

She said: “If anyone has a local business or knows anyone with one who would be able to donate a raffle prize for the sportsman’s dinner that has been arranged in order to raise funds towards the lake being cleaned I’d be hugely grateful. Whether it be a voucher for a meal, a monetary donation, a haircut or a manicure just anything would support this great cause for the future of our community and in memory of Ben.

“We are also looking for big ticket auction items for the event so if you are feeling really generous or know anyone else who may be… Please contact me.

“I know it’s been a tough few years all round so if you can’t or don’t want to then that’s totally ok, but if you can we can give your company a shout out in our Make A Change For Ben Facebook  group spreading your business to help give something back to you. Thanks in advance.” 

The Make A Change For Ben campaign was set up by Ben’s best friend David Rawsthorne and members of Ben’s family.

It has already gained over 4,000 supporters through Facebook, attracted nine celebrity supporters including Liverpool FC legend Alan Hansen, Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts and golfer Tommy Fleetwood and raised over £6,500 towards vital safety work being carried out.