The Autism Cymru Charity Cup football match was back on a level playing field and raising money for good causes again after a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The annual football match took place in Ebbw Vale for the first time since 2018 to jointly raise £650 for the National Autistic Society and Ukraine Appeal Funds.
It is the seventh time that Orbis Education and Care, which runs schools, residential homes and day facilities for individuals with complex needs, has held the event.
Each year, Orbis fields two football teams; from its children’s homes and schools, and from its adult community homes. The game brings together staff, pupils and residents, pitching them against each other in the name of charity.
Matt Dobbs, event organiser and Registered Manager at Ty Coryton said, “The Autism Cymru Charity Cup is a chance for everyone to come together and have some fun, and to raise money for some great causes. It’s not about fitness levels, ability or age. We simply invite everyone to get involved in what promises to be a great day for all.
“It was a really beautiful moment to see everyone back on the field after such a long time and working together as a team to help others, which is what we do best here at Orbis,” Matt added.
This year the children’s team, captained by Matt, lined up against a team from Orbis’ adult homes and head office, captained by Regional Manager Gavin Davies.
Following a tense 90-minutes, the children’s services team clinched victory with a score of 8-6, to retain the Autism Cymru Charity Cup for 2022, raising hundreds of pounds for good causes in the process.
Suzanne Lawrence, Chief Executive at Orbis Education and Care, said: “We are all about playing to our strengths to better support others and help them live their best lives here at Orbis Education and Care.
“Seeing staff, pupils and residents playing together again at this year’s Autism Cymru Charity Cup was poignant in a number of ways. This year’s match was a show of unity for the causes we have chosen to support, as it always is, but it also helped us to remember that we are a team too.”
“I’m really grateful to everyone who took part, to those who came along to cheer the teams on and all those who donated their time and money to support two wonderful causes,” Suzanne added.
“It was a great fundraiser and also a chance to reflect on the previous few years too, reminding us that we have, and will always be, united both on and off the pitch in our dedication to our support of others.”
