Melanie C, Emeli Sandé and Vernon Kay set to appear at charity gala in Manchester

Melanie C will take to the stage at a charity gala in Manchester this September, alongside Emeli Sandé and Vernon Kay as part of an initiative to help young people hit by poverty.

Football For Change was launched by Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and his England teammate Conor Coady last year, with £250,000 raised at its inaugural fundraising gala in Liverpool. The initiative will distribute grants to organisations supporting young people in the most deprived areas of the country, focusing on education, employment and training.

This year’s event will take place at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester on September 22, with TV favourite Vernon Kay on hosting duties, while Mel C and Emeli Sandé take to the stage. A major global icon is also set to headline the event, with more details to be announced next month.

Melanie C said: "I am really proud to give my support to Football For Change and I am looking forward to joining all of the players and everyone else involved on the night. This is going to be an incredibly special event and I am excited to be part of it.”

Emeli Sandé added: “Football For Change is an incredible initiative and so when I was asked to be part of this special event I immediately said yes. I am looking forward to performing and giving my support to the football players involved including Trent Alexander Arnold and Jamie Carragher. It is a really worthwhile cause and I am proud to be involved."

Global music icon Sir Rod Stewart is also a Football For Change patron, having attended its inaugural gala launch in Liverpool last year, which was held before a Chairman’s Lunch in March 2022 that raised a further £100,000 for the charity. Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard and sport pundit Gary