Children’s football team raises money with charity shootout

A children’s football team has raised over £2,500 for training equipment and to support the Celia Blakey Day Unit at the William Harvey Hospital.

The Kennington Juniors under 8s team held a fundraiser on Saturday afternoon. Held at the team's Ball Lane home ground, the event challenged members—who are aged from six to eight—to shoot non-stop for three hours.

Craig Norman, the team’s coach, said: ‘The young players showcased their skills and displayed incredible levels of dedication and enthusiasm throughout the challenge, despite getting a little tired towards the end.

‘To date, just over £2700 has been raised. All proceeds from the fundraiser are to be split between the Celia Blakey Chemotherapy Unit at the William Harvey Hospital and training equipment for the team. 

'Thank you so much to all those who have donated. We're so proud of the team. The boys knew they were raising money for an important cause and kept going for the full three hours.’

While looking to meet their need for new training equipment, including folding goals, slalom poles, and mannequins, the team decided to donate a portion of the money raised to the East Kent Hospital Charity. This money will go towards the Celia Blakey Day Unit, a cause close to the team’s hearts, after one of the member’s grandmothers was provided chemotherapy on the unit.

Craig said, ‘Cancer has impacted relatives of the team, and the treatment on the Celia Blakey Unit was fantastic. We want the boys to grow up to become responsible young people, so the idea is that we can do something as a team to give back to the local community.’

The parent whose mother is currently being treated at the Celia Blakey unit said, ‘Choosing to raise money for the Celia Blakey unit meant so much to our family. My mum is currently being treated there, and they are amazing. My son, who plays for the under 8s, felt so proud to be doing the event for his grandma.’