Curzon Ashton and Ashton United derby to raise support for Willow Wood Hospice

Curzon Ashton Football Club’s match against local rivals Ashton United on Bank Holiday Monday will be dedicated to supporting Willow Wood Hospice.

The early-season clash at the Tameside Stadium (OL7 9HG) will be on Monday 31st August, kicking off at 3pm.

Curzon Ashton has chosen Willow Wood as its charity partner for the 2026/27 season, and supporters attending the eagerly anticipated cross-town derby will have the opportunity to make a donation and find out more about the vital care provided by the Hospice.

Curzon’s players will also be wearing t-shirts showing their support for the Hospice during the pre-match warm-up.

With both sides competing in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the fixture promises plenty of excitement on the pitch – while offering fans the chance to show their support for local people living with any life-limiting illness.

Mike Smith, Curzon Ashton Community Foundation Manager, said: “Curzon Ashton is proud to be supporting Willow Wood Hospice as our charity partner this season. The Hospice plays such an important role in our local community, supporting patients and families when they need it most.

“Football brings people together, and we hope that by dedicating this local derby to Willow Wood, we can help raise awareness of the Hospice and encourage supporters to get behind its incredible work.”

Joanne Lees, Partnership Development Lead at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Curzon Ashton for choosing Willow Wood as its charity partner and for dedicating this exciting local derby to supporting the Hospice.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the local football community and raise awareness of the specialist care we provide to patients and the people closest to them across Tameside and Glossop.

“We hope supporters will come along, enjoy the match and, if they can, make a donation or find out more about how they can support Willow Wood.”

Based in Ashton-under-Lyne, Willow Wood Hospice provides specialist, compassionate and dignified care to people with any life-limiting illness across Tameside and Glossop. The Hospice also supports families and those closest to patients.

It costs £4.1 million a year to run the Hospice, which receives only 22 per cent of its funding from the government – the rest must be raised by the generosity of the community through donations, organising or supporting fundraising events, buying pre-loved items from Willow Wood’s charity shops, leaving gifts in their Wills, joining the weekly lottery, and volunteering.

Admission is £14 for adults, £10 concessions, £5 students, £2 for 12–16-year-olds, with free entry for Under-12s. A family ticket for two adults and two children under 16 costs £25. Tickets can be purchased on the gate on the day.