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Local Boy's 'Dream Team' To Play Worthing Charity Football Match

Ravi Adelekan's 'Ravi’s Dream' campaign will come to a climax on June 11 when his dream team plays against Preston Park Panthers to raise money for two brain tumour charities.

Launched in November 2022, Ravi's campaign has quickly gained traction, beginning with a cover version of ‘A Million Dreams,’ which was released with a video featuring Ravi himself alongside musicians, athletes and celebrities, including Hugh Jackman, Paloma Faith, Bastille, Metronomy, Coldplay, Mary Berry, De La Soul, footballer Leandro Trossard, Björn Ulvaeus (ABBA) and many more.

His goal is to raise £250,000 to be shared between The Brain Tumour Charity and brainstrust.  

On June 11th, Vanarama Conference side Worthing FC will host a day of football at their 3000-capacity ground in support of Ravi’s Dream. There will be a kids' 7-a-side tournament followed by a mixed-gender adult match.

Ravi's 'Dream Team' will feature: 

Romy Madley Croft (The xx) 

Jimi Famurewa (Masterchef) 

Joe Mount (Metronomy) 

Seye Adelekan (Gorillaz) 

Michael Odewale (Comedian) 

Jamie Kenna (Coronation Street) 

Denai Moore (Musician)

Ola Labib (Comedian)


They'll line up against community team Preston Park Panthers for a light-hearted kickaround and Ravi will suit up and manage the team with his Sunday League coach Toby Gosling as his #2.

It's football-mad Ravi's version of Soccer Aid.

Ravi, who has a brain tumour himself, has been blown away by the response so far. 

The campaign has raised over £78,000 to date and seen Ravi share his story far and wide, charming all on ITV’s This Morning, BBC Breakfast News, ITV Meridian News, The Adam Buxton Podcast, Lauren Laverne’s BBC 6Music show and featuring on the cover of The Week Junior magazine.

He is determined to reach his £250,000 target, and he will take a big step towards that on June 11th.

About Ravi and his charities:

Like many eight-year-olds, Ravi Adelekan is a young boy with a million dreams. However, in September 2021 his dreams were interrupted by the news that he had a benign tumour in his brain stem. 

Following ten hours of surgery, Ravi started his journey to learn to walk and feed himself again. He was determined to return to his passions of playing tennis, football, music and maths as soon as possible, smiling and joking through each day. 

The surgeons were not able to remove the whole tumour, and Ravi lives with its effects every day. He still lives his life to the maximum with bravery, fun and inspirational strength. 

Steph Coffey Senior Fundraising Officer at brainstrust, said: 

“At brainstrust we're all over the moon that Ravi and his family have chosen to support our community with their charity record. The money raised by Ravi's charity record will make sure we are there for the people who need us. Every penny will allow us to be there for people feeling afraid and alone after a brain tumour diagnosis. We are incredibly grateful to Ravi and his family for their support, and to everyone who listens to this song for helping raise vital funds and awareness.” 

The Brain Tumour Charity and brainstrust have both had a huge impact on Ravi and provided invaluable support in his aftercare following the surgery.

To mark the first anniversary of his operation, with the help of his Dad, Gbenga (Mercury Prize nominated Metronomy’s bass player) and introduced by the Director of The Greatest Showman, Michael Gracey and cast member Hugh Jackman, Ravi gathered together world renowned celebrities and musicians to produce a music video and raise money for the two charities that are close to his heart. 

Ravi said: 

“I love songs and music, and I think this song is a special song because it’s about your dreams coming true, just like I dream that having a brain tumour doesn’t mean you can do anything less than other people.” 

The multi-talented Adelekan family (including Grammy Award-winning uncle Synematik) are producing and performing a version of the song A Million Dreams from The Greatest Showman. The song and video feature Ravi, his family and friends alongside global musicians and celebrities, including Bastille, Paloma Faith, Metronomy, Damon Albarn, Coldplay, Mary Berry, Kate Magowan, Leandro Trossard, Björn Ulvaeus (ABBA), Sarah Hunter, The Big Moon, John Simm,  De La Soul, Jake Jarman, Jimmy Somerville, Courtney Tulloch and Heather Watson who all contributed to Ravi’s Dream.

The video aims to raise awareness of the impact of brain tumours and offers an insight into how funding can truly transform the recovery process of those affected.

While we don’t know what the future holds for Ravi, his vision is clear: a future where tumours like his could be treated without the type of major  surgery he went through. He would also love for the incredible medical care and support he received at King’s College London to be available everywhere.

Gina Almond, The Brain Tumour Charity’s Director of Fundraising, said: 

“Ravi’s story has touched so many hearts with his resilience and determination to follow his dreams and thereby raise awareness of brain tumours. We are inspired by him, his family, friends and all those who have contributed to make Ravi’s Dream a reality, uniting the community with this wonderful idea.

"We are unashamedly ambitious in our goals to double the survival and halve the harm that brain tumours have on quality of life, and Ravi’s Dream will be invaluable in helping us to achieve these by reaching such a wide audience.”

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