Two teams running for local charities
TWO Suffolk sides are covering different distances to raise money for charity.
The month of February sees Debenham Leisure Centre FC and Woodbridge Town FC both taking on different challenges to raise money for local charities.
On September 29th 2007, Debenham LC FC hosted AFC Wimbledon in front of a record attendance of 1,026 at Friends Meadow in an FA Cup Second Qualifying Round tie.
Both players and managers have decided to run 1,026 miles in aid of two charities, Blossom Appeal and Suffolk Mind. All monies raised will be split equally between the two charities.
Club secretary Vicky Conway said: “First team Assistant Manager Alex Egleton came to us with the idea of organising the run to raise some money for local charities, taking his inspiration from several other clubs in the county doing a similar thing.
“So, we put together our plan to run 1,026 miles which is the club’s highest-ever crowd attendance and all of the donations we receive will be split between Debenham's Blossom Appeal and Suffolk Mind.
“These are two charities that are very important to us. We've worked with both of them before and we felt that this was the right time to try and help them again. It’s a difficult time for everyone right now and our idea was that encouraging our lads to get out running would help their own mental health and in return would also be able to help others.
“We set our target at £500 and we are hoping that with some generous donations we will be able to hit that. We’re not a particularly big club but we do have a big heart and a fantastic bunch of people and we’re hoping to be able to make a difference to people and spread a bit of kindness in these strangest of times.”
Woodbridge Town are also travelling a significant distance to raise some money for a local charity; they’re hoping to cover 2,000 miles to raise money for Families In Need (FIND).
FIND is a charity that has been running for 30 years and offers a lifeline to people in Ipswich and the surrounding areas who are experiencing poverty and despair.
Woodbridge Town’s first team, ladies and reserves all aim to cover 2,000 miles in four weeks and hit their goal of raising £1,500. The club have set up a JustGiving page and have already exceeded their target.
Joint first-team manager Leon Moore, who came up with the idea, said: “I’m blown away by the support already. It’s incredible that people can be so generous at this time and willing to help people less fortunate than themselves.
“The players are like ‘coiled springs’ as the target for donations is going to be smashed it’s put some pressure on the lads and ladies to beat the 2,000-mile distance too.”
The players began tracking their miles on February 1st, and with the number of players participating each person will be required to cover roughly ten miles per week.
During the month of February, both Thurlow Nunn League clubs will be accepting donations.
If you are able to support the cause, please see the links to the club’s donation pages below:
Felixstowe & Walton United FC, meanwhile, are running a total of 1,748 – the distance from Land’s End to John O’Groats – during February to raise money.
First-team players and management are being joined by members of the club’s Youth set up to raise money for new goal posts for their Junior teams.
They will also be raising funds for the Level Two Youth Project in Felixstowe to promote the welfare of young people, aged 7-25, in the local area, through supportive relationships and positive experiences, designed to enhance their personal and social development.
Anyone wishing to donate, please click on the link below.
