PUTTING THE ‘UNITY’ IN COMMUNITY
If you know Michael, you’ll know he doesn’t sit still for long… or at all. He’s Chairman of Rose Grove Football Club, Technical Director here at 21Digital, a full-time music enthusiast and avid gig goer – and more notably, a proper community hero.
It’s safe to say he’s never far from the action, especially when it comes to raising money for a worthy cause.
A brilliant day at Padiham FC
On Sunday 12th April, that energy was on full display at Padiham FC, where Michael helped organise a charity football match between local teams Burnley Legends and Rosegrove FC. With a 2pm kick-off and plenty happening throughout the day, it was far more than just a game of football. There were stalls, entertainment, an Easter egg raffle, a tombola, and even a chance for people to meet the players.
By the end of the day, over £1,000 had been raised for Pendleside Hospice, supporting the vital work they do for local families during incredibly difficult times. It’s a great example of what can happen when people come together with a shared purpose and a bit of local pride behind them.
Playing for something bigger
That same sense of purpose carries into the next event on 3rd May, where Michael is organising yet another football tournament, once again at Padiham FC. This time, the focus is on raising money to help a local boy get an amazing new wheelchair to help with his everyday mobility and independence.
Alongside the fundraising, there’s also a personal meaning behind the day. Michael will be entering a team in memory of a close friend who sadly passed away in January, someone who was a big part of life at Padiham FC and widely respected and loved within the local football scene. It’s part of what will make the day feel that bit more special, and what these occasions are all about.
Events like these bring people of all ages together, with the whole community coming out to support an amazing cause, enjoy a great day, and take in a bit of friendly footy along the way.
Serving up something special
They say nothing brings people together like good food, but Michael’s track record is nothing to be sniffed at either!
On Saturday 4th July, he will also be helping to host a charity dinner at Burnley’s favourite traditional Italian restaurant, The Palazzo, making it three in a row as he goes for the treble.
One of the beneficiaries of the dinner is Labels for CARES, a local charity committed to promoting early assessment and rapid diagnosis of cancer across East Lancashire. It’s a cause Michael has long supported, helping with the occasional digital project in his spare time and attending events just like this. The night will also support WeEvolve, a Burnley-based mental health initiative that brings people together through fitness, friendship, and peer support.
The Palazzo, of course, is the perfect backdrop for an afternoon centred around community. It’s one of Michael’s favourite restaurants, with an amazing team that goes out of their way to make everyone feel welcome, and food that never disappoints. With Italian and Mediterranean dishes built on recipes passed down through generations, alongside locally sourced ingredients and great cocktails, it’s a certainly winning combination!
The Michael touch…
If you know Mick, you’ll know this isn’t a one-off. He’s always got something in the works, whether it’s organising events for the community, bringing people of all ages together through a game of football, or getting stuck into some groundwork at Rosegrove FC. He’s never afraid to roll his sleeves up! Over the years, that’s led to some brilliant events, plenty of fond memories, and a lot of money raised for great local causes.
So, with all that in his locker, it’s no surprise the same mindset carries through into what we do at 21Digital.
Going the extra mile isn’t anything new to us; it’s how we approach everything. As an award-winning agency specialising in lead generation and e-commerce, we help brands grow through smart, creative digital marketing that delivers real ROI. From web design and web development to SEO, Google Ads, digital consultancy, social media marketing, and email marketing, we’ve got it covered. Got a question about your business? Get in touch today!
