Businesses asked to support session for players with Down’s syndrome
Albion in the Community (AITC) is looking for seven businesses to help support the football session it runs for people with Down’s syndrome.
The charity is Sussex’s largest provider of football opportunities to people with a disability and more than 400 people now attend its 30 regular football sessions, including a growing number of people at the fortnightly club for players with Down’s syndrome.
Upwards of 20 people attend the session, which takes place on alternate Sunday afternoons at the Albion’s American Express Elite Football Performance Centre in Lancing; it represents a fantastic opportunity for the players to get active, make new friends and enjoy the playing the sport they love.
The session costs the charity around £3,500 a year to run, and AITC is now looking for seven local businesses to help fund the session by each donating £500 for the coming season.
Paul Brackley, AITC’s disability manager, explained: “Our players come from all over Sussex and absolutely love playing football.
“We make sure the session is suitable for players of all ages and our coaches are all FA-qualified and experienced in adapting sessions for people with a disability.
“It’s easy to take for granted how much it means for people to play football and be part of a team – at AITC we remove the barriers which can prevent people from having that opportunity.
“Our players really benefit from attending our session – on and off the pitch. Playing regular football is a fantastic way of getting active and benefits their general health; it is also a great way of making friends and having fun.
“As a charity much of our work is only possible as a result of the generosity of our supporters and fundraisers. Put simply, the more businesses support our work, the more people we can help.
“We wanted to give as many local businesses as possible the chance to support our work and so, rather than look for one headline sponsor, we’re trying to sign up seven businesses who are each willing to donate £500.
“Every business which signs up to our campaign will get the chance to come along to a session and see for themselves the amazing impact their generosity will have on the people we work with.”
Anyone who would like to find out more about how they can support our session for players with Down’s syndrome should email: fundraising@bhafcfoundation.org.uk.