Last Saturday (19 March) Stalybridge Celtic Juniors players, families and the local community came out in force to support a fundraising Coaches v Parents match at Bower Fold in aid of Save the Children.
The total raised was a huge £4,700 and there’s still time to donate via the justgiving page, and two special match shirts will be auctioned. This money will go to Save the Children to help their efforts supporting children and their families caught up in the terrible war in Ukraine.
Mark Nolan, who came up with the idea for the match just two weeks ago, chose to raise money for Save the Children after hearing an interview on BBC Radio 5 Live about the on the ground localised work they were doing on the Ukraine / Poland border.
As a junior football club we cannot imagine children having to leave their homes not knowing if they will ever return, being pulled apart from their families unaware if they will ever see their loved ones again, and having to escape to another country with no idea what tomorrow will bring.
The event raised funds from over 300 fans on the gate, player subs on matchday, and sponsors Barty’s Foodbank, PT Factory and Malbern Windows all making kind donations. Thanks to Bower Fold Events for their hard work in hosting a raffle and food stalls as well as making a generous donation, Stalybridge Celtic FC for kindly letting us use Bower Fold Stadium, and Tameside Reporter for their media support.
The match wouldn’t have been possible without the committed volunteers from Stalybridge Celtic Juniors and we would like to thank: Emma Clifford, Darren Clifford, Gemma Hughes, Zack Hughes, Will Langstaff, Sarah Jane McCloud, Mark Nolan, Ross Stanley, Wendy Stanley and Lee Williams for going above and beyond to make sure the match was a success.
Thanks also to everyone who dusted off their boots, came on the day or donated to the justgiving page. It was a close game with team Parents coming out 4-2 winners.
If you can donate you can do so via the justgiving page or bid for a special match shirt on eBay, bidding will go live soon.
Words: Liam Whitehead
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