Cambridge Fans United (CFU) has formed a new link with the YMCA Youth Hostel in Cambridge to set up a charity football tournament for their service users and to help provide kit and equipment for those in need...
The YMCA is a local charity whose services provide opportunities and support for all young people, whether they are facing difficult and challenging issues or simply looking for a new direction. They provide an extensive range of programmes and interventions in Housing, Childcare, Health & Fitness, Youth Projects, Youth Justice Services, Mental Health Counselling, Employability Programmes, Volunteering and much more.
Working with contacts at Cambridge City Council, Ben Phillips, Vice Chair of CFU has helped set up a link with the Football Club to organise a charity football tournament for service users at YMCA hostel and homeless shelters.
Weekly football sessions at the Hostel already take place and it is proven that playing sport can be greatly benefical to people's mental health and through this new link, CFU and Cambridge United can help provide additional facilities and much-needed equipment, such as boots and shin pads.
CFU and 100 Years of Coconuts has quickly gathered up a collection of old boots to ensure the hostel participants could continue to play football. They have now delivered enough boots to ensure that everyone who plays in the session owns their own pair of football boots.
Care worker Dan Goddard said, "Our residents are excited for the football tournament that we have planned for homeless hostels in Cambridge. The tournament will bring those in need in the community of Cambridge together and highlight the issues they face.
"It will allow people to share and talk about their issues and enjoy themselves for one day. With the kind generosity of the boot donations our residents are now able to feel part of something and play football easier in their weekly sessions, leading up to the tournament. The simple thing of just owning a pair of football boots and having someone like the football club reach out to a community organisation and show they care, is a big deal and shows that football clubs like Cambridge United are top of the league with having a big heart for people and helping others."
Through CFU’s new link with Dan at the YMCA, it is hoped that they can work together on providing further events and support in the future.
If supporters would like to donate any unwanted football boots, shin pads or kit for the YMCA hostels around Cambridge, please email cfuinbox@btinternet.com.