Walsall chase £2,000 fundraising target
Club officials at Walsall have smashed their initial fundraising target as they aim to generate cash for a local hospice and their own community hub.
Members of the communications department, Tom Heslop, Paul Joannou and Sam Hadwen – alongside club secretary Dan Mole – have been challenged to run 260km collectively this month.
Fans have been donating to their fundraising page throughout their feat, in which the money will be split between Acorns Children’s Hospice and the club’s own Community Hub – where construction has been paused during the coronavirus pandemic.
The initial target of £500 was quickly surpassed and the club are now hoping to achieve £2000.
“As a Communications department, we really wanted to raise some money for two things that are very close to the heart of the club,” Mr Heslop said.
“We have been raising money for Acorns Children’s Hospice since the start of the season and I have seen first hand the fantastic work they do there, so it felt right to run and raise a little bit more money for them.
“And with the new community hub at the stadium, we wanted to make it extra special so any money that we can put towards that from what we have raised will hopefully give it the wow factor.
“The support we have seen from Saddlers fans, from friends and family members as well as current and ex-players, like James Clarke, Caolan Lavery, Joe Edwards and Luke Leahy, has truly blown us away.
“Now we’ve hit £1,400, we’re really hoping to break our next target of £1,500 and who knows, £2,000 might be achievable at the end of the month.”
The Just Giving page can be found by visiting www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/wfccommunications260krun.
Meanwhile, Walsall Supporters’ Trust have raised £401 for the club through their 50-50 draw. A total of 802 tickets were bought at a price of £1 each. Scott Westwood, who had the winning ticket, picked up £401, while the remaining £401 has been donated to the club.
Nick Pritchard won a signed Walsall football and Steve Humphries picked up a limited edition Wembley print.
Trust secretary Steve Davies said:”We would like to thank Walsall Council, board member Ray Dale for his hard work, our independent adjudicator for generating the winner numbers and everyone who has supported the draw.
“Our club have benefited to the tune of £401 and it would be great to beat that total in next month’s draw which is scheduled for Saturday June 6.”
Tickets for the next draw can be bought by contacting Ray Dale on Raydale1@virginmedia.com or by text or phone call at 07806 778018.
