Soroptimist International of Cannock & District joined forces with Cannock Lions, Cannock Rotary and Hednesford Town Football Club to raise funds to support Japanese people following the dreadful earthquakes and tsunami.
Tuesday April 12th was Cup Final Night when Hednesford Town – the Pitmen – were playing the second match of a cup final tie at home against Hemel Hempstead. Hednesford Town Chairmanr Steve Price invited the three service clubs to sell tickets for the match and a two course meal, to hold a raffle at that function and to carry out a bucket collection on the terraces. Raffle prizes were donated by the four clubs.
Everyone was incredibly generous and a total of £500 was raised on the night. This means that, when added to monies raised at a raffle at Hednesford Town two weeks ago and along with donations from Steve Price and local businesses, £1,000 has been raised for the Japan Appeal. This money will be divided between the three clubs.
Cannock Soroptimists will send their money to their International Emergency Appeal which is used to send aid to disaster areas as soon as it is needed – this is overseen by Soroptimists in a club near to the disaster area. Lions send theirs to their International aid co-ordinator and Rotary will use theirs to fund a shelter box which will provide shelter for a family.
Discussions of how the service clubs can continue to work with the football club are already underway and members of SI Cannock are looking forward to working with them and with Lions and Rotary to further their aims and support people in need.
Soroptimists are very grateful to Hednesford Town for inviting them to be present and send their congratulations to the team on winning the cup!
photo shows Soroptimists, Lions and Rotarians with Jaz Singh, volunteer at Hednesford Town FC