Funds are flooding in for campaign

After Northwich Victoria kicked off a month of bucket collections around the EVO-STIK NPL on Wednesday 1 March when they hosted Shaw Lane AFC, the Vics brought the curtain down on this season's charity campaign on Wednesday night when they drew 2-2 with Gresley at Wincham Park in the final fixture of the month.

Sports Traider's grateful officials sent their thanks on Thursday as clubs started confirming their collection hauls and handing over the funds to help the charity give disadvantaged children in the UK a sporting chance in 2017 and support their latest initiatives like the ‘Wheel Power’ programme to provide wheelchairs for more disabled youngsters.

A mountain of kit was donated last season during the charity's inaugural season as the EVO-STIK NPL's official charity and Sports Traider spokesman Martin Keech is looking forward to banking a four figure sum this time around after clubs mobilised their fans for the 'March Mission' to encourage £1 voluntary donations at matches.

Keech said: "The first emails from clubs started arriving after the weekend's games and haven't stopped since. Everybody connected with the charity is so grateful because every single pound donated will make a huge difference to the lives of kids who can't play sport through no fault of their own.

"It will be great to let everyone know how the money is being used over the coming months and on behalf of the charity I'd like to thank all the clubs and fans of the league for their support during two great seasons as your official charity. And I know the campaign has just finished but please don't forget to hold on to any spare kit you might have at the end of the season for the collection we'll be organising in the summer!"

Founded in 2009 in Bedford by Lance Haggith, the 2010 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Unsung Hero winner, Sports Traider is dedicated to helping UK youngsters discover and fulfil their sporting potential, whatever their background, ability or disability.

Apart from their growing number of permanent collection points and recycling banks around the country for unwanted sports kit and equipment in strategic locations and links with schools and sports centres, Sports Traider also works with local sports brands and retail outlets who are invited to donate surplus, end-of-line or seconds stock directly.

As well as being recycled and distributed locally, the donations are sold in the charity’s nationwide retail outlets with the money generated then re-invested into grassroots sport for disadvantaged children and young people including the funding of 40 bursaries for students at the NPLFA again this season.

For more information, visit the home page and click on the Sports Traider button. Alternatively, visit the charity’s site direct at: www.sportstraider.org.uk.

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