Chris Dennis, Director of Caerphilly-based GKR Building and Maintenance awarded Street Football Wales (SFW) with a cheque for almost £500 during the organisation’s last match event which was held on Wednesday 13th October 2010 inSwansea at Play Football. The final match event culminated the efforts and participation of twelve teams from acrossCardiff,Swansea,Newport,Carmarthen and the Vale (Barry). However, Swansea DIP (Drug Intervention Programme) retained the League Title by a clear 3 points from the African Black Mambas after completing the eight- month league.
SFW organises weekly training and monthly league matches aimed at people suffering from social problems following homelessness and unemployment. The scheme has had great success, offering individuals a chance to develop social interaction, team work and time-keeping skills whilst providing a much needed escape from the struggles of day-to-day life. The scheme runs on a not-for-profit basis and receives very little funding compared to its English equivalent, which receives £1 million in funding each year. SFW is thoroughly supported by the Big Issue Cyrmu, which is always trying to find new ways to combat homelessness inWales.
Jan Collard, Senior Vendor Service Worker at the Big Issue Wales says:
‘The Big Issue is a great supporter of the Street Football Wales scheme and we understand the growing need to raise awareness and funds in order to help people struggling with social interaction to ‘get back in the game’, meet new people and develop new skills. We are extremely grateful for the efforts Chris Dennis atGKRBuildingand Maintenance Ltd. has gone to in order to raise money for this worthy cause.’
Chris presented a cheque for £453 to Keri Harris, who is the Chairman for the Welsh project on a voluntary basis at the event on Wednesday. Chris also took part in the end of season trophy presentation handing trophies to the participants for their efforts throughout the season. In turn, Chris was awarded with the Fundraising Champion Award 2010 for his ongoing support for SFW. Chris raised this money through a recent triathlon inLondon, which he completed in an impressive time of two hours and 45 minutes.
The final match event also marked a celebratory occasion for referee, Hoss Davies who chose SFW for his last ever match after refereeing for thirty years to an extremely high level. The commitment of people like Hoss and Chris to support SFW is the only way the scheme can continue to run in Wales.
Chris Dennis of GKR concludes:
“I want to raise as much money as I can for this very worthy cause. The people who take part in the football need support and I feel SFW can change their lives for the better. I am proud that I can help make a difference and plan to continue my support in the future.”
Street Football Wales has recently launched its brand new website www.streetfootballwales.org Please log on and lend your support.
To donate to the cause people can either email Chris Dennis cdennis@gkrmaintenance.co.uk or go directly to Street Football Wales at streetfootballwales@hotmail.co.uk