One of the most appealing charity fund-raising events to be held in Scotland features Andy Murray, Roger Federer and a five-course gourmet meal with fine wines by Albert Roux.
Sir Andy Murray will take part in a charity fund- raiser when he lines up to play long-time rival Roger Federer in the first ever match between the two on Scottish soil.
Murray, two-times Wimbledon champion, will play the Swiss legend, who has won the grass court championships a staggering eight times, on November 7 at the SSE Hydro. More than 10,000 fans snapped up tickets in under two hours when they went on sale in February as the Andy Murray Live event comes to Glasgow for its second year.
The event will feature a mix of world-class tennis and some light- hearted entertainment. Following the singles match against Federer, Murray will be joined by brother Jamie to take on Tim Henman and Mansour Bahrami in a more relaxed doubles challenge.
Once again, all proceeds from the event will be donated to charity. Funds this year will be shared equally between Unicef, the world’s leading children’s organisation, of which Murray is a UK Ambassador, and local Govan charity, Sunny- sid3up.
A spokesman for the organisers, 77 Management, Andy Murray’s management company, said: “Andy wanted to create a legacy event in Scotland that would be an opportunity to benefit not only UNICEF, for which he is an ambassador, but also share the proceeds with a local charity in Glasgow, where he was born.”
The spokesman added: “Last year’s event was the first time we organised Andy Murray Live and it was a fantastic success, raising £305,000 for charities. With the addition of an exclusive fundraising dinner the night before, we are looking to make it even bigger and better this year and hopefully double the amount raised.”
The event is being produced by Andrew Wells, Event Director – who is working with Lagardère Sports to stage the event at the SSE Hydro.
In addition to the exhibition match, the fundraising dinner the evening before will be set up next to the court for up to 250 diners, who will take part in an auction to raise additional money for charity. Comedian Rob Brydon will MC that event, which also features a performance from pop star Will Young.
A five-course meal with ‘matched wine’ is being provided by renowned French chef Albert Roux, who already has a culinary association with Murray through the Scottish star’s Cromlix Hotel in Dunblane, and the Maître d’ from Michel Roux’s Le Gavroche restaurant is also being drafted in.
Murray said: “Last year was such a fantastic night and to raise over £300,000 for Unicef and Young People’s Futures in our first year was amazing. This year is going to be even bigger and better and I am so pleased to be able to bring Roger to play in Scotland for the first time – he will get a chance to see for himself just how enthusiastic Scottish fans are, and what a great venue e SSE Hydro is.”
