Cambridge United's Walking Footballers are leading a fundraiser to support football sessions for individuals with disabilities...
What better way to demonstrate the strong community feel of Cambridge United Community Trust than having participants from one of the Walking Football sessions fundraising to support the Trust’s Inclusion programme, led by Phil Mullen.
One of our walking footballers, Nigel, and his teammates approached the Trust earlier this year to express the view that Phil’s work within disability football makes an unquestionable difference to individuals lives.
Having started his own journey as one of the Trust’s regular walking footballers, Nigel has since set up an additional session in Cambourne, enabling those not able to attend the Cambridge session the opportunity to play.
This group, South Cambs Amblers WFC, regularly donate money to the Trust to support the disability football sessions and want to challenge themselves to do more.
The fundraiser is set to be a 12 hour Walking Football Marathon, consisting of a 12 hour match played by two teams made up of players from the Trust’s seniors and disability football sessions.
The match will take place at the sand-based astro pitches at the Abbey Leisure Centre with roll-on roll-off subs from 10am until 10pm on Bank Holiday Monday 2nd May 2022.
Andrew Stephen, Chairman of Cambridge Fans United, shares his experience of walking football and the common theme of wanting to support the work Phil does at the Trust for individuals with disabilities.
"When I began walking football in 2016, I hadn’t played team sport for some years," Andrew said. "I found that the social side of it was important too. A number of people I got to know had problems with depression, loneliness, mental health and physical health and all are welcome, irrespective of talent or fitness.
"This valuable resource depends on the support of the Community Trust but the man who has made it what it is is Phil Mullen who, in my opinion, has done more for disability [football] than anyone in the county. He has worked tirelessly to create sessions for disabilities of all kinds and he has a natural talent for raising the confidence of everyone who attends his sessions. Everyone I know at Walking Football thinks the world of him."
Ben Jones, 18, shared why the disability sessions are so important to him, "I like getting out of the house, getting exercise and I like to meet and make new friends," he said. "The Cambridge United sessions have boosted my self-confidence and helped my social skills. I have become more independent and it’s also good for my mental health."
Nigel is now looking to recruit a team of players and helpers to put on the event. If you are interested in supporting, in any capacity, please email communitytrust@cambridge-united.co.uk.
Special thanks go to Cambridge Independent Newspaper and Better for their help supporting this event.