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 ALDERSHOT TOWN HAILED BY LOCAL CHARITY

Aldershot Town Football Club has been responsible for their “official” charity benefiting to the tune of over £100,000 during the last five years.

The Blue Square Premier division club linked up with the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice in the latter part of 2002.

It all started when the previous Company Secretary of the club, Graham Brookland, joined the fundraising department of the Hospice after his father Tony, a fellow Aldershot supporter, passed away in the Hospice in May 2001.

Graham, who is leaving his role at the Hospice to take up a position within the Army FA, takes up the story, “After assessing the contribution the partnership with Aldershot Town Football Club has made over the past five years I was staggered to learn that direct contributions from the club through charitable grants and Football Association Charity payments over £20,000 has been raised alone. When you add the activities instigated or organised by supporters or participation of sponsored events individually the total income benefit to the Hospice is over £100,000; it shows how important a football club the size of Aldershot is within the community. In addition to the financial benefit the name of the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice has become familiar with the name of Aldershot Town Football Club.

Charity match. Former Shots players:
Shaun May, Dave Osgood, Andy Nunn and Mark Butler

“We have been able to stage charity football and cricket matches through to those running London Marathons, Half Marathons, Cycle Rides, Sponsored Walks, Holiday Prize Draws and events including our own Santa Fun Run held at the Queens Avenue Playing Fields in Aldershot. There is also an annual Christmas Carol service co-ordinated by club Chaplain Mike Pusey. Even this month a group of supporters raised money by travelling the length and breadth of the country visiting all 92 Football League clubs in a week.

“Additionally there have been many fundraisers organised through supporters who have held functions and donated the proceeds to the Hospice.

“The response from supporters and sponsors of the football club has been phenomenal with so much goodwill and generosity shown. We have also received magnificent support from many local sporting establishments especially Farnborough Town FC of whom we must thank former Secretary Vince Williams for his contribution.

“It has been great to have so much support from the football club. The players and management have been wonderful too with particular thanks to Nikki Bull who has been an ambassador for the Hospice over the past two years and been available at every request. All three Chairmen of the new club, Terry Owens., Karl Prentice and John McGinty have been forthcoming to support the Hospice at every opportunity and we have had great support from players and management too, past and present. These include Terry Brown, Stuart Cash, Mark Butler, Ian McDonald, Jason Chewins and the current management team of Gary Waddock and Martin Kuhl.

“Former Aldershot, Woking, Farnborough Town and Yeovil Town midfielder Colin Fielder has also been magnificent. Colin has run the London Marathon for the Hospice in addition to linking his junior football team- Alton United Youth FC- to the Hospice. His contribution alone has raised over £10,000 with his contacts and support.

“We were also so proud that many local companies within Aldershot who have always been sponsors of the club extended their financial commitment to the Hospice and a scheme last year, instigated by Ian Dawkins Managing Director of former main sponsors Hi Speed Services Ltd, ensured that the Hospice was the recipient of a brand new and much needed van. The van cost a considerable five figure sum that was raised through the support of six local companies.

“Without such support as the activities mentioned above the Hospice would not be able to continue the important role that it plays within the local community and Aldershot is a major town within the community that it serves.

“It is vitally important to recognise this so to each and everyone person and company who has supported the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice over the past five years I sincerely thank them. Their support has been greatly valued and appreciated and, above all, made a positive difference to the patients of which I have seen so many over the years who have had connections with the club.

“This story is a great testament to everything that is positive about Aldershot Town Football Club and its supporters.”

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