The number of people taking part in positive activities run by Aberdeen FC Community Trust (AFCCT) has more than trebled since it was set up in 2013, while the number of participations has increased by more than 500 percent.

A total of 158,459 participations were recorded during the 2016 -2017 season, up from 25,624 in 2013-2014 season.  

The number of individuals directly involved in its outreach programmes has also trebled, rising to 17,307 in the same time.

The Trust engages with people of all abilities, aged from three to 100 years old from across Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire.

Its activities are targeted at various groups, including the over 65s, disadvantaged children, ethnic and religious minority groups and people living with dementia.

Ally Prockter, Aberdeen FC Community Trust's chief executive, said the charity focuses on positive activity, health and wellbeing, equality and inclusion and learning.

“We engage with people from every background, some of whom have faced their own personal challenges, and aim to give them the opportunity to change their lives for the better. Many want a healthier lifestyle, to take up a new sport or to simply make new friends and be happier,” he said.

“We have participants who have, through their involvement with AFCCT, given up smoking, achieved their dream weight, increased their attainment and attendance at school, and seen their confidence grow to the point they feel able to get out of the house and enjoy life again.

“The huge increase in the number of participants we work with, and the number of times they are getting involved in AFCCT activities, demonstrates that there is a real need for the Trust to continue to improve its work in the community.”

AFCCT operates as a charity independently of Aberdeen Football Club but works closely with North-east local authorities and many other organisations including the Life Changes Trust, NHS Grampian, Sport Aberdeen, Police Scotland, Aberdeen Sports Village and other members of the Active Aberdeen Partnership.

Since 2013, the number of permanent staff working at AFCCT has increased from five to 20, and the number of volunteers involved has risen to 80 with individuals delivering more than 5,000 hours of community support in their spare time.

The AFCCT programme includes football programmes for girls and boys, weekly walking football sessions for women and men, dementia friendly activities and health walks for over 65s, and the Football Fans In Training scheme, which to date has helped participants lose a combined total of 160st.

Despite the huge amount of work being delivered to communities across the North-east, AFCCT has very limited facilities at Pittodrie.

George Thompson (83) from the Spital in Aberdeen regularly attends the TechnoGym classes at Pittodrie, which features low-impact gym equipment designed to increase strength, balance and flexibility.

He said: “Being involved with the AFCCT TechnoGym class is not only really enjoyable but it’s a great opportunity to get out the house, meet new people and socialise. It’s really important to stay as fit and active as possible at my age and TechnoGym allows me to do just that.

“What we have at Pittodrie is fine but the new facilities at Kingsford would make such a difference and allow the Trust to do and provide more. Having purpose-build facilities at Kingsford would give those aged over 65 even more opportunities to come together, be involved, and stay active.”

Fit for purpose facilities to support the development of the charity are a key element of the Club’s plans to develop a major, multi-million-pound stadium and and community activities hub for the entire region, based at Kingsford near Westhill.

Ally added: “While we’re incredibly grateful to the club for all its support, we don’t have sufficient space at the stadium or any kind of sporting or classroom facilities to call our own, which can make delivering many projects extremely challenging.

“The opportunity to move to Kingsford is very exciting for us and would provide an inspirational setting to continue our work and reach even more individuals in communities, not just in the city but across the entire North-east.”

The Aurora campaign, to demonstrate widespread support for AFC’s plans, was launched last week and has already drawn backing from Sir Alex Ferguson, AFC hero and Gothenburg Great Willie Miller and golf champion Paul Lawrie.

For details of how to support the Aurora campaign, visit afc.co.uk/Aurora and use the hashtag #AllForAurora on social media.