Hello,

How are you all? Hope you're keeping well in lockdown as we count down the days until the Premier League restarts with Arsenal's trip to Manchester City a week on Wednesday. 

Mikel Arteta's side are ramping up preparations nicely if their 6-0 rout of Charlton at the Emirates on Saturday in a behind closed doors friendly is anything to go by.

In the meantime, on Saturday, June 13, I’ll be hosting a charity quiz to rise money for two UK based charities, namely the UK and Ireland based suicide prevention charity, Samaritans, as well as Refuge, which supports women that have been the victim of domestic violence.

The idea for this quiz came from myself and Beulah Pickles who is a Crystal Palace fan who I meet though the mental health walks I was involved with over the last few seasons.

We chose the Samaritans since they were on the last mental health walk between Arsenal and Crystal Palace and they do amazing work in listening to people who believe they want to commit suicide. Most of their helpers are volunteers who give up their own time to help a person in need.

Beulah and I chose Refuge because they have seen 66 per cent rise in people in need of their service during the coronavirus pandemic. We wanted to help a charity that helps women who are the victims of domestic violence and need support – it is a sobering thought to learn that some of those women have to leave abusive relationships with absolutely nothing.

If you would like to take part our quiz costs £5 to take part and will take place on Zoom. There will be four rounds: Sport, Music, TV/Film and General Knowledge.

We will also be giving a talk on why we are choosing to support Refuge and Samaritans and about the work they are doing.

So. We would love you to take part in our quiz this Saturday – there will be prizes for 1^st ,2^nd and 3^rd so please join us https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=CharityQuizNight&pageUrl=1 once you sign up you will be sent a code for the Zoom meeting where the quiz will be taking place.

Look forward to seeing you on Saturday.

All the best, Jake

PS Come on you Gunners!