Albion in the Community have launched a fundraising appeal for donations from fans to help local people with a disability return to playing football following the lockdown.
Despite Covid-19 restrictions easing, many of the charity’s participants with a disability have not yet returned to their regular football sessions and AITC is appealing to fans for their help to get them back.
Twelve-year-old Lily, who has Spina Bifida, is one such player who did not return when the charity’s powerchair sessions first re-opened in May this year. Sadly, Covid-19 has created several barriers for players with a disability, and for AITC’s powerchair players, redundant equipment is one of them.
Due to a lack of use in the past year, several of the charity’s powerchairs are no longer fit for purpose, and the charity urgently needs donations to raise £12,600 to purchase new powerchairs, ensuring that players with a disability have the best sessions to return to.
Thankfully, Lily returned to her sessions last month, but there are still many others that have not. For Lily and her teammates, the sessions provide so much more than football. They keep players healthy, build confidence and independence. They also provide much needed respite to parents and guardians like Lisa, Lily’s mum.
Mark Barkaway, who heads up fundraising for AITC explained: “We want to get all our players back to playing ASAP following the lockdown, but at the very least by the end of the year. An individual powerchair costs £4,200 and we need to purchase at least three to make our sessions the best they can be.
“If you are in a position to make a gift, as an individual or a local business, to help our participants get active again then please do make a donation to our appeal.”
Fans can donate by visiting https://www.albioninthecommunity.org.uk/disability-football-appeal or you can contact AITC’s fundraising team by emailing fundraising@albioninthecommunity.org.uk