West Brom to feature 'Help Chile' on their shirts tonight.

Wed 10th Mar 2010 | Football Sponsorship

The Club will feature the logo 'Help Chile' on their shirts for tonight’s home clash with Sheffield Wednesday along with the British Red Cross' website address, redcross.org.uk, where donations can be made.

The quake, one of the largest ever recorded, has killed hundreds of people while the Chilean government estimates around two million more have been affected by the disaster.

The club are now throwing their weight behind the work of the British Red Cross, which is working hand in hand with the Chilean Red Cross to provide relief to the disaster-struck country.

Albion have struck one-game shirt partnerships with Blue Square, Victor Chandler, Esprit and Sbobet in recent weeks and have already sewn up sponsorship deals for three of their remaining 12 fixtures.

Having successfully raised awareness of, and funds for, the DEC'S Haiti Appeal by adding supportive logos to the players' shirts at Newcastle in January, Albion have now donated the same advertising space to the Chilean aid effort.

After the match, the Club will auction off the 18 shirts worn by the squad against the Owls at official website www.wba.co.uk to raise more funds.

"When we heard about the earthquake, we were greatly concerned about the well being of Gonzalo and his family and were relieved to hear they are safe," said Albion Chairman Jeremy Peace.

"The fact one of our own players is at the scene of the earthquake and that his close family has been affected by it has brought this tragedy closer to home - and we wanted to play our part in raising funds for the aid effort.

"We have again decided to utilise the flexible nature of our shirt sponsorship, which we hope will encourage people to support the work of the Red Cross in the region.

Caroline Leighton, Red Cross operations director for Staffordshire, Warwickshire and the West Midlands, said: "We are grateful to West Bromwich Albion for highlighting our appeal as help is still desperately needed in Chile.

Albion raised £25,000 for the DEC Haiti Appeal via a similar shirt auction and Club donation in January.

The Red Cross is assisting the people of Chile with search and rescue and medical assistance plus basic amenities like water, sanitation and shelter - but the needs are great.

The Chilean Red Cross is working on the ground in partnership with emergency services, carrying out search and rescue operations and damage assessments, and giving medical assistance where necessary.

To make a donation visit: redcross.org.uk, call 0845 054 7201 or send a cheque, made payable to the British Red Cross, to: Chile Earthquake Appeal, British Red Cross, 44 Moorfields, London, EC2Y 9AL.

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