This week’s good news: Vincent Kompany to donate all profits from testimonial match to help Manchester homeless

We like to publish a good news story every week. Sometimes it’s a bit of a struggle. This week it’s been a doddle, thanks to Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany.

He has announced that he is to donate all profits from his testimonial match at the end of the season to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s Homelessness Fund.

The testimonial is just one of three fundraisers which will be organised by Tackle4MCR, an initiative he has set up with Mayor Burnham to address rough sleeping and homelessness on the streets of Manchester.

The others are a fundraising gala dinner in February and a Football Friday event in the spring.

Kompany said wants help tackle rough sleeping as a sign of appreciation for the love and acceptance he has received from the people of Manchester.

“What inspired me so much about this region, about this city, is the positivity of the people that live in it,” said Kompany.

“As this city is so powerful compared to so many other cities I have visited in the past, I think we have a responsibility to take everyone along with us on that journey.”

It’s not the first time a City or United player has donated the proceeds from his testimonial  to charity. Last year alone, Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney raised over £1m for charities for children and young people.

But it’s the first time the money has gone to such a high profile cause which has so much public support.

We don’t yet know who the opposition will be. Maybe it should be United, to make it a proper Manchester occasion in support of an excellent cause.

Vincent and Andy want to form a team of ‘founding partners’ to join them in tackling the problem of rough-sleeping and be part of their team from the very beginning. To become a founding partner, visit @tackle4MCR, call 0161 246 6444 or email [email protected].