Cardiff City FC Foundation, the official charity of Cardiff City Football Club, has launched a new fundraising challenge for fans as demand for its services soars.
The charity has supported thousands of young people across south Wales throughout lockdown. One example is the Bluebirds from Home School Festival, which was launched to support children’s wellbeing and improve learning through daily fitness activities and football-themed English and Maths lessons. Over 100 primary schools benefited from the festival and over 28,000 children had the opportunity to get involved.
Cardiff City FC first team players took time out of their busy training schedules to create videos of fun fitness challenges young people can try at home, providing plenty of reasons for children to enjoy learning and exercise.
Cardiff City FC Foundation Director Gavin Hawkey said:
“Over recent weeks we’ve seen how, even when pitches and stadiums are empty, football can still be used as a tool to inspire children to learn, be active and develop important life skills. As we look ahead to the Summer, we are asking fans to get involved in fundraising so we can build on this important work in communities across south Wales.”
Leanne Gibbs, a parent from Phillipstown Primary School, New Tredegar, said:
“My son Harijac has loved doing the tasks set by Cardiff City FC Foundation. As a huge football fan, these tasks were football-related and fun, so it was a winner in our house and he had lots of fun whilst learning. I’m so grateful to have access to these resources during lockdown.”
When the national lockdown began, Cardiff City FC Community Foundation adapted their approach overnight to ensure the charity could still support children, young people and families.
Services provided by the Bluebirds Charity during lockdown include football-themed educational resources for school children, fitness challenges for young people, virtual youth outreach activities and wellbeing check ins for older people at risk of social isolation and loneliness.
Cardiff City supporters are now being encouraged to celebrate the re-start of the Championship and support the work of the Foundation by taking part in the Bluebirds Home or Away Challenge.
With two options to choose from – Home or Away – supporters can take on the challenge individually or as a team.
The Home Challenge requires fans to virtually fill Cardiff City Stadium by completing 33,334 steps, one for each seat in the bowl.
While fans can’t travel to the away games, they can still support the official Bluebirds charity by completing the distance virtually as part of the Away Challenge. There are three games to choose from and you can walk, run or cycle the distance to Preston, Fulham, Bristol City or Middlesbrough stadia.
Gavin Hawkey said:
“This pandemic has seen the demand for our services soar. We are determined to continue to support children, young people and families to achieve their full potential and the club’s fans can play a big part in this by taking part in our new challenge.”
For more information on how to get involved in the Bluebirds Home and Away Challenge, visit www.cardiffcityfcfoundation.org.uk/homeorawaychallenge.
