Tony Ford, Secretary of Wickham Wanderers FC, a grassroots club from West Wickham in Kent wrote to The Children’s Football Alliance.
After over 30 yrs of involvement in youth football, we have sadly come to the end of the road as our final u18s team has folded with Uni and work commitments. At one stage we had 22 teams from u7 to u18 and 3 adult teams, renting a variety of ‘park’ pitches on Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings.
On behalf of the Club, Tony, said, ‘we have some money left in our kitty that we are dividing up between a number of children’s sport related charities. Our Club ethos has always been to help kids of all ages and backgrounds to reap the benefits of playing in a team. The Children’s Football alliance has been recommended to us as a great charity for just this cause, so this message is to ask whether you have any particular projects that we could help to fund?
Dear, Wickham Wanderers Football Club.
Thank you ever so much for reaching out to the Children’s Football Alliance.
It’s massively appreciated you having considered the charity with a generous donation.
We are sorry to hear your youth scheme has come to an end. The CFA fully acknowledge the impact on all the children who have had the privilege to play and be looked after by Wickham Wanderers. We see all the time that difference the game has on those we support.
Each year we hold FREE football events during Children’s Football Week, for children, where they play football and referee their own games.
The kind and thoughtful donation would go towards core running costs but also fund a Free v Free Football Event for 2025 which will benefit the children involved.
Children’s Football Week acts as a reminder to parents, guardians, carers, facilitators, coaches, teachers and volunteers, that the children’s game does not have to be branded, expensive, associated or dominated by adults. As you, your club and all the players that played for Wickham Wanderers Football Club, know is a simple fun game that shapes childhoods into wonderful young men and women.
Best wishes