The Sentinel Charity Football Competitions Committee has continued its support for local causes by donating £4,000 to the Donna Louise Trust.

The Trust revealed late last year that a shortfall in corporate and public donations had forced it to reduce respite care at the Treetops hospice in Trentham Lakes from six nights a week to four.

The committee, which runs the Sentinel Cup, the Sentinel Shield, the open age Sentinel Sunday Cup and the Sentinel Schools' Shield, has helped to raise thousands of pounds for good causes across the Potteries.

Chairman Alan Vickers presented the initial £2,500 cheque to Donna Louise Trust music co-ordinator, Phil Nankivell.

The outstanding £1,500 will be raised from this year's four finals, while raffles and DVDs of the games will be on sale to boost the coffers.

"We have seen through The Sentinel the situation with the Donna Louise Trust," said Vickers, who has served on the committee for more than 25 years.

"The children love being entertained, whether that be making a CD or writing poems and stories for their parents, so our money will help them do that."

This year's Sentinel Cup final will be held at Stoke City's Britannia Stadium, while the other three events are being staged at Port Vale.

Pictured is Alan Vickers, Sentinel Football chairman (right), presenting a cheque to Donna Louise Trust music co-ordinator, Phil Nankivell, along with other members of the committee.

THIS YEAR'S FINALS DATES AND VENUES

April 30: Sentinel Shield, Vale Park, 7pm.

May 5: Sentinel Schools' Shield, Vale Park, 6.30pm.

May 7: Sentinel Sunday Cup, Vale Park, 7.30pm.

May 15: Sentinel Cup, Britannia Stadium, 7pm.