Football fans can win exclusive signed memorabilia from Manchester United and Manchester City in a new raffle launched by Manchester Foundation Trust Charity to help complete its £1.1m Manchester MediCinema Appeal.

Tickets cost £5 and the draw closes on Sunday 29 March, with prizes including match-worn shirts, signed boots and gloves donated by stars from both clubs.

Fronted by Andrew & Rachael Flintoff and delivered in partnership with BAFTA Award-winning charity MediCinema, the Appeal aims to transform an unused lecture theatre at Manchester Royal Infirmary into a fully accessible, 50-seat MediCinema.

Once complete, the cinema will benefit patients in both Manchester Royal Infirmary and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

The Appeal has already raised £788,000 towards its £1.1m target, bringing the project closer to making the MediCinema a reality for patients and their families.

The MediCinema is expected to screen up to 260 films each year. Supported by MediCinema nurses and trained volunteers, the screenings will provide patients and their families with moments of escape, shared experiences and comfort during some of the most challenging periods of their lives.

Prizes in the MediCinema Raffle include:

• Bruno Fernandes Signed Match Worn Manchester United Shirt
• Luke Shaw Signed Match Worn Manchester United Shirt
• Harry Maguire Signed Football Boots
• Gianluigi Donnarumma Signed Glove
• 2025/26 Manchester City Shirt Signed by Squad
• Matheus Cunha Signed Training Shirt
• Lisandro Martinez Signed Training Shirt

Tillie’s Story

Funds raised through the raffle will help children like nine-year-old Tillie Keefe.

Tillie, from Burnley, has spent almost a year in Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital battling leukaemia after being diagnosed in August 2024 when what first appeared to be flu-like symptoms turned out to be blood cancer.

Tillie said: “I was being constantly sick before a school trip to the beach and thought it was just a virus. I couldn’t go on the trip as I was too poorly, but I never thought it would be cancer. I’ve seen people have cancer and I didn’t think it would happen to me.”

After being rushed between her local hospitals as her condition worsened, Tillie was blue-lighted for specialist tests to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital where she was diagnosed with leukaemia.

Tillie added: “The diagnosis was a complete shock, I thought because I was young that this sort of thing wouldn’t happen to people like me. I wondered if I’d done something wrong, but my dad explained to me that these things can happen.”

Tillie required a central line and later a port for chemotherapy, spending nearly a year in hospital between intensive care, extended stays for treatment, and ongoing visits for complications.

Tillie has now been receiving chemotherapy since August 2024, with treatment due to continue until August 2026. Complications including colitis, severe mouth ulcers and neuropathy left her unable to walk at one stage, meaning she had to relearn how to use her legs with the help of a frame.

Nathan Keefe, Tillie’s dad, said: “It’s devastating when you’re told your child has cancer. Everything you see is different and your whole life changes. You don’t take anything for granted anymore and every moment matters.

“Long term hospital stays can be a very isolating experience. You can become quite withdrawn from reality. You’re both stuck somewhere and you can’t do normal things which is hard, especially because of how sociable Tillie is.”

The family hope the MediCinema will offer young patients at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital a sense of normality and an opportunity to enjoy activities that most children take for granted.

For Tillie, who dreams of becoming an actress, singer or nurse when she grows up, the magic of film offers escapism during the hardest days.

Tillie said: “During my stay the nurses put together film night on the ward for us, which was special. There wasn’t a lot of space, and the room became quite cramped, so to have a MediCinema would make this more accessible and fun.

“I missed my friends when I was in hospital. Going to the cinema is something most people take for granted. When you can’t do that, you realise how important it is.”

How a MediCinema Helps

Nathan added: “A MediCinema would be a fantastic space for children like Tillie, it would give kids on the ward a chance to socialise with their peers and something to look forward to during the long hospital stays.

“I think it would also give the staff a bit of relief, knowing that the kids are still able to have a positive experience.”

The family are now looking ahead to making special memories together, including their first holiday abroad later this year once Tillie finishes her final round of chemotherapy.

Nathan has a simple message for anyone considering buying a raffle ticket or supporting the MediCinema Appeal:

“Take a look at the cause. Some people might not think it’s worth it. But it might happen to you, you never know. Until you go through it yourself, you can’t put it into words. Something that brings even a bit of normality into hospital means everything.”

Kathy Cowell CBE DL, Chair of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, said: 

“We’re thrilled to launch our MediCinema Raffle, with incredible signed items from Manchester United and Manchester City helping us raise funds to bring this much-needed cinema to our patients.

“Real stories from our patients, like Tillie, really highlight why this project matters. Long hospital stays can be isolating, and a dedicated MediCinema will offer children and their families moments of normality, comfort, and fun during some of the toughest times of their lives. We’re so grateful for all the support and hope everyone will take part to help make this dream a reality.”

Rachael Flintoff, who has been instrumental in driving the Appeal forward, said:

“The generosity from Manchester’s fantastic community and football fans alike has been absolutely astounding. The MediCinema raffle is an amazing way for people to get involved while helping bring this special cinema to life.

“With one final push, we can make the MediCinema a reality for patients in Manchester hospitals. Every raffle ticket, every donation, and even every share, brings us closer to opening the doors and giving children and their families these unforgettable moments together.”

To enter Manchester Foundation Trust Charity’s MediCinema Raffle visit our website. Tickets cost £5 and the draw closes on Sunday 29 March.