Aberdeen FC Community Trust are fundraising again!

After the success of the West Highland Way in 2017 raising over £8,000 and the Speyside Walk in 2018 raising over £5,500, AFCCT volunteers have gone bigger and better; aiming to fundraise £10,000 with this year’s Coast to Coast Walk.

The walk starts on Sunday 25th August in Fort William, walking for 6 days with a final day’s cycle to end the week back in Aberdeen on Saturday 31st August. A total of 183 miles will be covered during the course of the week.

About Aberdeen FC Community Trust
AFCCT is at the heart of the AFC community, supporting award winning dementia friendly programmes, health walks and cultural awareness workshops to name a few. These events aim to primarily improve health and well-being, education, equality and to enhance social cohesion to all ages.
Supporting AFCCT allows these programmes to happen more effectively. Your money gets injected straight back into your community, improving the lives of local people. AFC, and your community, will be grateful for any donations made.

The Participants
The walkers have been involved in various projects with AFCCT including Walking Football and Football Fans In Training, however this year’s walk is the longest yet, by over 77 miles!
Here’s what a few of this year’s participants have to say about the challenge:

“We are kicking off a big fundraising year for us with the walk and have pushed the boundaries a bit with Iain Landsman’s proposal to do a coast to coast walk… We are hoping the additional mileage and pain for us this year’s walk will help us get the support we need to reach our target for the walk of £10k of much needed funds… As always we can’t do this on our own so have to thank the guys again for signing up for another year… so thank you to Iain, Eric, Lee, Darren, Rob and Bob and also to our new recruits.. wish us luck we will need it.”
– Mark Wilson

“A few years ago, I got asked if I wanted to get involved in a charity walk with the proceeds going to the AFC Community Trust. After seeing the excellent work that AFCCT do within the local community I jumped in with both feet. Over the years I have raised money for many different charities but what really stood out for me is the way that the Trust go about making positive life changes to the local folk of the North East of Scotland and the relentless enthusiasm the trust staff and volunteers have in helping. So for me it was a no brainer.
On the final night of last year’s Speyside Way charity walk we discussed how we could take this year’s charity event even further – so the Coast the Coast trek idea was hatched, probably after a few too many beers! It will make the previous year’s charity challenges seem like walks in the park.
Taking part in the charity walk allows me to do something that I enjoy doing and the most important fact is that it raises money for a local charity, so it is a “win win” for everybody.”
– Eric Harper

“Being a lifelong Dandy and witnessing the fine work done …[at AFCCT], I thought “How could I contribute to the Trust?” So in 2018 when Mark Wilson invited me to participate in the local Kiltwalk followed by the 88 mile Speyside Way walk over 4 days to raise funds, I jumped at the chance. It was a truly memorable few days with great lads and overall fulfilling taking in the Scottish countryside with the knowledge we were raising funds for such a fantastic cause.
Mark, Iain and Eric were so enthusiastic about repeating a similar feat in 2019, and have put so much effort into organising it, so when this years ‘Coast to Coast’ suggestion was put forward, it was hard to say no!
When I see all the activities that the Trust organise, and the joy it brings to so many who benefit, it makes me forget about my glass knees and how I will get through it! Thoroughly looking forward to this year’s event!”
– Darren Gray

Not only are all the participants enthusiastic about this year’s event, they are passionate about supporting the great work that Aberdeen FC Community Trust do on a daily basis, encouraging their involvement and hard work to fundraise.

Where your money goes
AFCCT raises money to support the community and provide opportunities to those who may not be able to afford such experiences. The money raised from the Coast to Coast walk will go towards running AFCCT events such as mental health programmes:

• Every £10 raised will help to provide a lunch to one participant living with Dementia who attends the Boogie in the Bar social inclusion programme
• Every £20 raised will help to provide tea/coffee and biscuits for participants on the Dementia Friendly Health Walks
• Every £30 raised will help to train up new volunteers to support AFCCT staff to deliver our Dementia Friendly Community programmes
• Every £40 raised will help to deliver one Dementia Friendly Walking Football session or one Dementia Friendly Health Walk
• Every £50 raised will help to deliver a Dementia Friendly Technogym session to keep our participants healthy, active and also tackle social isolation.

The money will also be spent on Grassroot Soccer programmes. These programmes aim to address health issues such as HIV, malaria, gender-based violence and sexual and reproductive health as well as focusing on determinants of health such as education and employment to ensure young people stay on a positive health journey well into adulthood.

How to Donate
Any donation size is greatly appreciated. You can donate through Aberdeen FC Community Trust’s Just Giving page which can be found here.

If you wish for more information regarding the event, Aberdeen FC Community Trust or how to donate, please email Claire Robertson at claire.robertson@afccommunitytrust.org or call on 01224 650 494.