Marco Sementa started his mission a decade ago with the aim of supporting 50 different charities, nationally and closer to home in Cambridgeshire.
Since then, he has organised more than 200 football matches, featuring over 700 players from the ages of 17 to 72.
The 42-year-old has also completed a skydive and charity walk, as well as taking on his abseil for EACH in April 2015.
Dressed as Captain America, he descended from the top of Peterborough’s Park Inn Hotel and managed to raise close to £200.
“I’ve got such fond memories of that day,” said Marco, who lives in Peterborough with wife Amy and daughters Isabella, nine, and Sienna, five. “I tried to take it in my stride and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It was very exhilarating. My daughters still comment on it whenever they see the hotel and I hope it shows them that anyone can make a difference. I’m very passionate about fundraising and try to ‘spread the love’ by supporting as many charities as possible. There are so many worthy causes out there, both local and national, and I’d definitely like to do something else for EACH.”
Marco’s fundraising total stands at £55,000 and, by the end of the year, he is hoping to get to £60,000.
Much has come from his successful football matches – an idea that gathered pace after losing his mum in 2012.
“I’d done a bit of fundraising but always anonymously. It was all about the charities and I didn’t want any fuss or personal recognition,” said the former midfielder, who was forced to hang up his boots after a serious knee injury in 2008.
“Then someone said that if I told more people, I’d raise more money.
“After losing mum, I wanted to arrange a charity match in her memory, as my parents watched and supported me whenever I played non-league football.
“It’s snowballed from there and I love arranging the matches, picking and managing both teams.
“The games are open to anyone who fancies a kickabout and the result is irrelevant. It’s just about raising as much as possible.”
Image credit: EACH - Marco with his family.
