This week summed up the highs and lows in the life of a community football club.
On Wednesday more than 50 kids enjoyed free sessions on the local park with our UEFA and FA coaches, then the following evening someone set fire to some of our gear causing damage to a building temporarily hosting a library.
The incident further highlighted our need for a newer, better storage container on St Mary’s Park. And also provided a snapshot of the challenges facing non-profit organisations trying to help their local community.
We have been in discussion with the council on a new container for years (talks have progressed recently), but as always, we need funding and volunteers to help make it happen.
And now we have had to pay for equipment and fire damaged materials to be removed, which is a further blow to our already stretched budget.
We used donations and fundraising to put on free Mini Marauders sessions for reception-aged boys and girls almost every Wednesday since the beginning of May. We believe in making football as accessible to all as we possibly can.
We have seen more than 50 different kids attend at various times. And those kids will hopefully go to form teams and continue the life of our club, which has been providing football for children since 1972.
But to carry on that work and to secure our equipment, we quite simply rely on donations. The fees members pay cover leagues, kits, winter training and equipment to a degree. But we desperately need more help.
If you can spare any time or money to help the club, please do.
Huge thanks to our volunteers who came out late at night on Thursday to help with the clean up at the park after the fire.
Thanks to staff from Bury Council and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, as well as local councillors who all pitched in to secure the site and clear the debris.
