Chelsea FC star Wesley Fofana donates signed shirt to Redhill charity fundraiser

A Chelsea FC star is helping put a Redhill charity fundraiser in the spotlight after donating a signed shirt to support an event bringing local businesses and the community together.

Wesley Fofana, the Chelsea and France defender, has signed a shirt that will be offered as a raffle prize at the GT Clean Charity Car Wash and Community Day at Woodhatch Community Centre on Saturday, 17 October.

GT Clean founder Sam Ghartey-Tagoe met the footballer in person to collect the signed shirt ahead of the event. Video footage shows Fofana signing the shirt, providing a football connection to a fundraiser with roots in the local community and Ghana.

The event will run from 10am to 6pm, with free entry for visitors.

Redhill car detailing businesses put competition aside

One of the key features of this year’s fundraiser is the decision to bring professional car detailers from different businesses together for the day.

Although the businesses would normally compete for customers, they will work alongside one another to help raise money for the two chosen beneficiaries.

The event will feature car washing throughout the day, alongside food, music, children’s activities, raffles and other community activities.

Visitors will not need to have their vehicle washed to attend, making the event an opportunity for families to enjoy a day out while supporting the fundraising effort.

Sam said he wanted to demonstrate that businesses could put commercial competition aside to support a shared cause.

“Competition is healthy, but coming together to do something good for the community is even better,” he said.

Two charities set to benefit from the fundraiser

Money raised at the event will support MYTI Youth Club and Radio Peace Ghana.

MYTI Youth Club supports young people in Surrey by providing free youth club facilities, activities and hot meals. It is also one of the chosen charities of the Mayor of Reigate and Banstead for 2026/27.

The second beneficiary, Radio Peace Ghana, is a non-profit community radio station based in Winneba, Ghana.

The station is currently off air while fundraising to build its own 35-metre broadcasting mast. It previously used a mast owned by Vodafone Ghana, but the cost of continuing the arrangement increased following the transition to Telecel Ghana.

Funding for a new mast would help the station restore its broadcasting service and continue reaching the communities it was established to serve.

For Sam, supporting the station also has a personal connection. His grandfather helped establish Radio Peace Ghana, and his father continued that work.

“When I started GT Clean, I knew I wanted giving back to be part of the business too,” Sam said.

More than £1,000 raised in previous years

The GT Clean charity car wash has already raised £1,100 across its first two years.

The first event raised £595, followed by £505 in the second year.

This time, organisers hope to build on that total, with a target of washing around 30 cars during the day.

What began as a small charity car wash has developed into a wider community event, with local businesses, volunteers and community organisations helping to expand its reach.

The long-term ambition is to grow the fundraiser year after year and make it an established date in the local community calendar.

How to attend the Woodhatch charity car wash

The GT Clean Charity Car Wash and Community Day takes place at Woodhatch Community Centre, Whitebeam Drive, Reigate, on Saturday, 17 October 2026.

• Time: 10am to 6pm
• Entry: Free
• Activities: Charity car washing, food, music, children’s activities and raffles
• Beneficiaries: MYTI Youth Club and Radio Peace Ghana

Pre-registration is available for those who want their vehicles washed.

Residents can attend without booking a car wash and enjoy the community activities while supporting the fundraising effort.

Surrey Extra will be following the story as the event approaches.