Man Utd legend pledges £250,000 in amazing gesture after 'hardest thing' he's ever dealt with

Manchester United legend Andy Cole has given a generous donation of £250,000 to Kidney Research UK. The donation is part of Cole’s work with the charity. 

The money has been donated through a fund named after the ex-striker. Cole made almost 200 appearances for Utd between 1995 and 2001 and has worked with the charity to launch The Andy Cole Fund Grant Awards. 

The fund was set up to a cause which Cole has a personal experience with. The ex-footballer was diagnosed with kidney disease and in 2017 he received a life-saving transplant from his nephew. 

Cole was inspired to help in the efforts to fund the work of the charity, and that’s where his own fund came from. This is the first set of grants to be awarded from the fund, with a total of £250,000 available for research that will focus on transforming transplantation to improve patient experiences, particularly in relation to mental health.  

Andy Cole said: “I set up the Andy Cole Fund to make a difference. I’m determined that we will find the best ways to support kidney patients’ mental health and improve the transplant experience.  

“Kidney disease is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with. We’ve got to make it better for others and research is the answer. I’m excited to see what projects we can fund through the Andy Cole Fund Grant Awards to help change the game for kidney patients.” 

Thanks to the research funding, Kidney Research UK are now on the look out for talented researchers, scientists, clinicians (including nurses and allied health professionals) and innovators from across the UK to apply for funding.