Bolton Wanderers' Jussi Jaaskelainen's cash is set for children’s charities (From The Bolton News)

Bolton Wanderers' Jussi Jaaskelainen's cash is set for children’s charities

10:10am Sunday 19th July 2009 in

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BOLTON Wanderers legend Jussi Jaaskelainen’s has given 12 seasons to the club.

And now the 34-year-old goalkeeper is giving something back to the town he has adopted as his own.

He is donating all the cash raised from his testimonial year to three local charities.

They are Miller’s Nook Riding School in Westhoughton, Birtenshaw School for children with special needs in Bromley Cross, and Paws for Kids, which looks after pets from women and their families who are escaping domestic violence.

Jussi and wife Tessa, who moved to Bolton when Wanderers signed him in 1997, hand-picked all three of the charities.

The father-of-three said: “None of them are very well-known and they are not big charities but they are local and they involve children, so that is what appealed to us.

“Having three boys who were all born in Bolton, these charities are what I feel are closest to me, in terms of raising money.

“Paws for Kids, Birtenshaw and Miller’s Nook Riding School are all really worthy causes and I just hope the supporters will feel the same.”

Each of the three organisations have expressed their delight at being chosen by the couple.

Brian Howard, of Miller’s Nook, which gives lessons to disabled children, said: “We thoroughly enjoyed showing Jussi and Tessa round the riding school. I think it is fantastic that he’s chosen us and two other local charities. We are really grateful.”

Richard Jazwinski, headteacher at Birtenshaw, said: “We are thrilled and delighted that somebody who has given so much pleasure to the Bolton public has chosen to put something back into the community.

“We have made a commitment to Jussi and his wife that the money donated will go to helping young people directly.”

Carole Marsden, from Paws for Kids, said: “We were extremely pleased when Jussi got in touch to say we were one of the charities he wanted to support.

“It will raise the profile of the charity, as well as much needed funds.”

The testimonial match, against Edinburgh’s Hibernian, will be played on August 8.

A spokesman for Bolton Wanderers said: “We are delighted that Jussi has chosen to raise money for three charities during his testimonial year.

“The fact that he and his wife have chosen three local causes reflects his commitment to the town.”