Swindon Town Football Club announces vital scheme will continue
SWINDON Town football club has announced it is continuing a partnership that provides vital food to those in need on matchdays.
The club started working with the local hostel Culvery Court and Dean McMackin, travel counsellor, to deliver surplus food from home games to local communities who can make use of it.
In a statement published on its website, the club confirmed that it was ‘delighted’ to be able to continue to offer leftover sausage rolls, pasties, chocolate, crisps and drinks going forward.
Building on this, it has also now introduced a ‘token’ scheme where town fans (and away supporters) can purchase a token at the food and drink stands at the County Ground, which will then go towards helping several local organisations.
Three charitable organisations that dedicate themselves to helping homeless people and others in need – Swindon Caring Hearts, The Alternative Angels and Culvery Court – will all benefit from the scheme.
This was made possible thanks to donations from several local businesses including Moovahome, Swindon Loft Conversions, 147 Sports Club and Waynes Drains.
Dean McMackin said: “Having worked closely with the three different groups it became apparent that the biggest needs the guys have is what we take for granted, food and toiletries and obviously sanitary products for the females who find themselves struggling.
“I had seen something similar in Bristol and approached Clem and Rob who were very keen to make this work and after lots of back and forth with both Paul and Caroline who have been amazing.
“We have managed to work out a way we think we can make a big difference to the Culvery Court, Swindon Caring Hearts and The Alternative Angels who are working every day based just on volunteers so if every fan who entered the County Ground donated just £1 a month that would keep them going.”
In a previous statement on the partnership, Swindon Town chief executive Rob Angus said: “We’re extremely proud of the ongoing work we are doing across Swindon, and honoured to be a helping so many in the local area.”
How can fans help?
The scheme is available at all kiosks, bars, lounges, online purchases and the club shop at the County Ground where fans can purchase a Make A Difference token for just £1.
At the end of the month for every token purchased the total collected will be used to purchase the everyday essentials for the three groups that rely solely on donations.