Spartans Boost For Local Charity

Blue Square North club Blyth Spartans have donated £2000 to help footballers who represent the Blyth Valley Disabled Forum.

The gift will help the Forum, which provides services and activities for people with disabilities in south east Northumberland, to pay for transport and football kit.

The Spartans chose the Disabled Forum after being asked by the Football Association to nominate a local community-based initiative to receive funding from its Community Shield Fund Distribution programme. The FA has made resources available to clubs which reached the first round of the FA Cup last season.

Les Barrett, volunteer Manager and a Care Worker with the Forum (pictured above with the Spartans' Ian Evans), commented "It was great news to hear about the Spartans' donation and we're very grateful. It will be a major help in so many ways. We need to hire a 50-seater coach when we play away as we take four teams, plus volunteers, as far as Teesside. In addition being able to have good kit makes our people feel like proper players and makes them proud of themselves."

Mr Barrett added "Football is also important as it gives families and carers some valuable respite time."

Spartans' Chairman Tony Platten said "We knew of the valuable work done by the Forum and thought that donating the cash to assist them develop their football activity would be highly appropriate."