Sam Bailey Kicks Off Star-Studded Charity Football Match For Epilepsy Awareness

Sam Bailey's Heartfelt Initiative

Singer Sam Bailey is gearing up to score big for a cause that hits close to home. The former X-Factor winner is stepping onto the football field for a celebrity charity match, aiming to raise funds and awareness for Young Epilepsy. This cause holds personal significance for Bailey, whose 16-year-old son Tommy was diagnosed with epilepsy in May 2024. Tommy experiences tonic-clonic seizures, which can be both alarming and dangerous, involving loss of consciousness and intense muscle contractions.

“They are brilliant and were absolutely great,” Bailey said about Young Epilepsy. “The charity is all about helping people that are going through what we've been going through.”

Bailey's dedication to the cause is unwavering, as she explained how the charity provided much-needed support to her family. "Tommy didn't have counseling because he would have a seizure, wake up, and wouldn't know what happened," she shared. "But for my youngest, who saw him, she did. She couldn't be in the same room and Young Epilepsy really helped us with that."

Star-Studded Line-Up

The charity match, organized by Sellebrity Soccer, will take place at Anstey Nomads Football Club in Leicestershire, where a host of famous faces will join Bailey on the pitch. Former Leicester City goalkeeper Conrad Logan, TV personality Calum Best, and Eastenders actor Jake Wood are all set to participate. "I'm in Leicester playing football. I say playing, but I'm actually a token girl," Bailey joked. "I'll point and kick the ball and then I won't get the ball probably for the rest of the game, but it's fun."

Raising Awareness and Funds

Beyond raising funds, Bailey hopes the event will shine a light on epilepsy and educate others on how to respond to seizures. With Tommy starting college, Bailey emphasized the importance of awareness, saying, "He has a talisman on his wrist, so if he has a seizure on the bus someone will know what to do and who to call."

The match promises not only to be a fun day out but also a crucial step in raising awareness for epilepsy, a condition that requires understanding and quick action in moments of crisis. The game kicks off at 15:00 BST on Sunday, 21 September, at Anstey Nomads Football Club. Sam Bailey’s efforts are a testament to turning personal challenges into public advocacy, ensuring others can receive the support her family has experienced.