Rod Stewart donates £10,000 to Carlisle to help flood recovery effort
Saturday 30 January 2016 15:42, UK
Rod Stewart has donated £10,000 to Carlisle United to help the Sky Bet League Two club recover from last month's devastating floods.
The rock singer decided to make the donation after it emerged that only two Premier League clubs - Everton and Sunderland - answered Carlisle chairman Andrew Jenkins' appeal for help in their bid to recover from Storm Desmond.
Carlisle were forced to play their home games at Blackpool's Bloomfield Road after their own stadium, Brunton Park, was left submerged under water, with the playing surface and changing rooms among the facilities damaged.
Stewart, a boyhood Celtic supporter, has decided to dig into his own pocket to help out Carlisle and provide them with a huge boost ahead of their home FA Cup fourth-round tie with Everton.
"I felt for Carlisle when I read about the problems they've had with their pitch and how hard it was for them to raise money," Stewart told The Sun.
"I wanted to help. I'm donating £10,000 to their flood fund and wish them the best of luck in the FA Cup against Everton."
Jenkins added: "This is a wonderful gesture. Things like this help to give everyone a lift."
Carlisle returned to Brunton Park after seven weeks away last Saturday after necessary repairs were made and a new playing surface was laid.
