More than £5000 has been raised for the Sheffield Hospitals Charity and their Prostate Cancer Research Fund, by one of the city’s football clubs.

Shirts worn by Sheffield United footballers, including Billy Sharp and Iliman Ndiaye, were placed into an online auction after their game against Swansea earlier this month.

Gareth Aston, CEO of the Sheffield Hospitals Charity, said: “It’s really great that the Sheffield teaching hospitals have the ability to conduct this pioneering research that could potentially change many thousands of lives across South Yorkshire and many thousands and possibly millions of lives across the world.”

(Credit: Sheffield Hospitals Charity

The shirts from the auction have come from the charity’s United in Love for our NHS weekend, which took place during the Sheffield United vs Swansea match.

The charity’s logo was displayed on the Sheffield United shirts for the game against Swansea.

Mr Aston said the funding was a necessity.

He added: “I think more than ever, it’s important that we are able to get behind and support the patients and staff at this time.

“It’s an extremely difficult time for everyone. So, if we raise a few pounds, that’s great.

“I want to say a massive thank you to all the Sheffield United fans and all the team at Sheffield United.

“We really couldn’t have done it without it being a big team effort.”

2023 marks 75 years since the NHS was founded and any contributions to the health service remain invaluable. As of November 2022, the waiting list for hospital treatment rose to a record 7 million people across England.

To represent the anniversary, Sheffield United published the names of supporters’ loved ones in the celebratory edition programme after a £5 donation to the Sheffield Hospitals Charity.

The auction ends on the 22 February.