Local MP Tom Gordon and his team will be taking part in this year's Knaresborough Bed Race to raise funds for Knaresborough Town Football Club's new 3G pitch.
This follows Tom’s ongoing efforts to secure improved facilities for the club, after visiting them last year.
Tom has praised the “vital” role the club plays in the local community – both in sport and through its partnerships with local charities and supports groups such as Henshaws and Rainbow Care Dementia.
At the visit, Co-Chairmen Paul Howard and Nigel Corner raised concerns about the club’s current pitch, which is often waterlogged and frequently disrupts both matches and training.
In response, Tom arranged a meeting with the Minister for Culture, Media and Sport to discuss how the Government could support improvements.
That meeting led to a successful visit from the Football Foundation – the UK’s largest sports charity, funded by the Premier League, the FA, and the Government.
The Football Foundation confirmed they could support Knaresborough Town in securing a new 3G pitch.
While a significant portion of the funding has been provided, the club still needs to raise part of the cost themselves.
To help raise the remaining funds, Tom and his team are running the Knaresborough Bed Race next month.
Tom said:
“Knaresborough AFC is a fantastic club that plays a crucial role in the local community – far beyond football.
“From supporting local charities to providing accessible facilities to vulnerable groups, the club means a lot to this town.
“We are excited to take part in the Bed Race to help raise the money needed for their new 3G pitch. Right now, the club faces regular disruptions due to poor pitch conditions, and it is time that changed.
“It’s been a huge success securing ministerial support and bringing in the Football Foundation. Now we need to finish the job by helping the club raise the final funds needed to bring this project to life.’
Paul and Nigel, Knaresborough Town Club Chairmen, said:
“We at Knaresborough Town are delighted to have been chosen as Tom Gordon MP and his teams choice to fundraise for our new 3G pitch at Manse Lane.
“It is going to take a lot of hard work to fundraise and create a facility that the whole of Knaresborough will be able to benefit from.
“Please get behind Tom and his team and give whatever you can on behalf of all the volunteers at Manse Lane.”
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