Club2Club Fundraiser

Carmarthen Athletic Hockey is a club with over a hundred members from the ages 8 and above. We welcome all individuals into our hockey family; no experience or knowledge needed. Our journey to team up with Mind Cymru began when we held our first fundraiser. Initially, our event was meant to benefit only our club and our members, however, we wanted to take this opportunity to help others. The success from our time fundraising for Mind Cymru, led us to choosing The Welsh Air Ambulance as our new charity and mission.

The feeling we had after donating money to Mind Cymru in 2018, was something words could not express. The money we had raised could help change a life and provide that all important help and care so desperately needed. By selecting a charity each season, we are going to help more people in need and helping spread awareness, not only in our club, but also the wider community. That’s when our perspective changed and the clubs committee gathered and discussed the idea of setting up a new scheme.

This scheme was put forward and developed by two of our volunteers, Megan Henry and Laura Massocchi. Megan and Laura volunteer for our club working and developing our social media, marketing opportunities, social events and now fundraising. Together, they formed the idea that during each hockey season (September to April) the club will choose a campaign and a corresponding charity to spread awareness within the club, local community and hopefully further. By supporting charities as a hockey club, we are able to contribute to the community and our members will feel part of a bigger team by helping others.  A point they argued for this idea was that one day, somewhere in the near future, these charities could change our lives, or become a last hope for our families. Therefore, if we can help make a difference now, then this could create a positive impact on those relying on these charities.

By supporting charities as a hockey club, we are able to contribute to the community and our members will feel part of a bigger team by helping others. One day, somewhere in the future, these charities could change our lives, or become a last hope for one of our family. Therefore, if we can help make a difference now then we could create a positive impact on those relying on these charities.

This is a journey that once started as a one-off event, to us now looking at a new charity, a new campaign every season in order to help those who so desperately need it. Not only that, but we are showing our members that we are a family who share the same passion of hockey and love for one another. A united front willing to tackle not only the opposition in a game, but any problems that face us as a team, or individually.

Our first charity Mind Cymru, we raised £1,111.50 for and this season we have so far raised just under £1000 for our new charity, the Welsh Air Ambulance. This scheme we have in place states that 50% or raised funds will go to the chosen charity and the other 50% will then go to the club. However, as a club we strive ourselves as being known as a hockey family. We're a community and club, who share the same passion and love for on sport and each other. Although, we are aware that some expenses can mean some may not be able to have the full hockey experience with us. Therefore we set up a fund, where the other 50% from events goes straight into. The Access to Hockey Fund is our innovative new approach to remove some of the financial barriers attached to playing our beloved sport. The fund acts as a great pot that can be applied to by prospective existing members. There are multiple criteria for eligibility, and applications are evaluated on a case by case basis in order to ensure that our club is as accessible and equitable as possible. This new approach from the club will hopefully remove the potential barriers to people starting, or continuing their experience in hockey. The 50% of funds that we gain from holding our fundraisers will go straight into this fund, in the hope that more people will be able to join in our clubs journey and progression in hockey. However, within this virtual event we plan on achieving, all proceeds will be going to two different charities.

Covid-19 brought the club's season to a shuddering halt, leaving players lost, matches unplayed, promotions lost and cup-finals a lifetime away. More importantly, Covid-19 was taking hold and spreading fast. Our NHS is facing unique and extremely tough challenges in these unprecedented times, Carmarthen Athletic Hockey Club would like to thank the NHS, and more specifically the staff at Glangwili General Hospital by adding them to our charitable donation this season, alongside The Welsh Air Ambulance.

However, our usual fund-raising efforts are not enough for these amazing institutions, likewise under the circumstances we are not allowed to hold such events.

The week commencing May 25th, our club members aim to 'virtually' run to all of the clubs that each team has played over the season. Covering a distance of 2062 miles in seven days. With around 40 members taking part, this equates to 10km a day. Although, some of our members are nurses, physio's, teachers, farmers and other key workers; who will be carefully balancing their vital work with this fundraising challenge. We will also be wearing specially made t-shirts for this virtual event, with 25% of these proceeds going to charity.

Please take a moment to donate, all the money raised will be staying local. You never know when you may need the Welsh Air Ambulance and Glangwili General Hospital. They care, so let's show them that we care.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/carmarthenathletic-hockeyclub?utm_term=D22VGbKMy

#HockeyFamily #PuttingInTheMilesForSmiles #Covid19 #TogetherWeAreStronger #CAHC