Players from the Greater Manchester Walking Football League have recently completed their fundraising efforts for the Ukrainian Emergency Appeal, raising £2,046 to go towards providing aid to those impacted by the unrest.
The league, which is made up of football players aged 60 and over is operated by charitable trust, Your Trust Rochdale, has been raising money for the appeal since March, with support from friends, family, and Heywood residents.
Fundraising activity has included club events across the eight teams within the league, such as coffee mornings and raffles as well as deductions from match day fees to go into the pot.
Paul Gardner, Health & Wellbeing Manager at Your Trust, who led the fundraising activity, said: “Myself and the team at Your Trust were keen to do something to support the plight of the Ukrainian nation.
“I have been amazed by the support we’ve received. Each week, teams have collected money from match day fees and donated what they have raised at their own club events. The money just keeps coming in as players want to contribute to helping those in Ukraine most in need.”
The cheque was presented by players and members of Your Trust Rochdale to Michael Krylszyn, committee member of the Association of Ukrainians of Great Britain (Rochdale branch).
Speaking of the donation, Michael said he was “overwhelmed by the financial donations he had received overall several weeks from the teams representing the Greater Manchester Walking Football League”.
The funds raised will be used by aid partners in Ukraine in accordance with the Disaster Emergency Fund.
The Walking Football League promotes football at a slower pace and is designed for older people looking to get back into football and stay active.
Sessions are open to both men and women, and all ages and abilities are welcome. The Walking Football League operates at Heywood Sports Village and now has eight teams for the over 60s.
ENDS
Photo caption: Players from the Walking Fotoball League and team members Your Trust Rochdale present the cheque to Michael Krylszyn, committee member of the Association of Ukrainians of Great Britain (Rochdale branch).
For more information about this story, please contact [email protected] to get hold of the team or call 01925 635599.
Alternatively, please call Helen Lang on 07455 376 432.
Notes to Editors:
About Your Trust:
Your Trust, also known as Rochdale Boroughwide Cultural Trust, is a charity that works in the heart of the Rochdale Borough community, inspiring people to live more active, creative and healthy lifestyles. The charity connects people with their cultural heritage, encourages creativity and fosters wellbeing for each and every member of its diverse community.
The charity operates venues across the borough including Rochdale Leisure Centre, Middleton Arena, Heywood Sports Village, Littleborough Sports Centre, Touchstones Museum & Gallery, Heywood Civic Centre and Hollingworth Lake Water Activity Centre.
Other Your Trust community programmes include sport, health and inclusion activities for children, teenagers, adults and people with disabilities, plus schools, training and workforce programmes.
Operating on an ‘arms-length’ basis with a voluntary Board of Trustees, Your Trust is independent of Rochdale Borough Council but has an important relationship with the local authority and councillors. It reports regularly to the council and feeds into the borough’s democratic process.
Your Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales (charity number: 1118610) and public limited company (no 06052980).
