Member Article

Redcar Althetic FC given cash donation after burglary

A Teesside community benefit fund has stepped in to help a local football club after a recent burglary.

Redcar Athletic Football Club lost a range of equipment, kits and medals after the thieves smashed a window in the portable cabins at the grounds.

To help the club, a special £1,000 donation has been approved by the Tees Valley Community Foundation on behalf of EDF Energy Renewables, operators of the Teesside Offshore Wind Farm off the coast of Redcar.

The money is being used towards buying new customised football kits, equipment and essential CCTV to ensure the future safety of the club.

Kevin Fryett, club secretary said: “We are so pleased that we were granted this money after the burglary. Without the kit and equipment we simply could not have a club.

“The support from EDF Energy Renewables has played a big part in the success of Redcar Athletic as well as providing an opportunity for members of local community to be involved in a popular sport.”

The Redcar Athletic Football club has 300 members aged 3 upwards. All ages and abilities are encouraged to join the twice weekly training sessions and weekly matches played against other regional league teams.

James Wilson, operations engineer for the wind farm at EDF Energy Renewables, said: “We were happy to step in to help such an influential organisation in the local community following the unfortunate events over the summer.

“The club provides a positive and encouraging environment for so many people to practice football so we feel that it is a very worthy cause for our support.

“This excellent project is one of many community-led initiatives that we have supported. Our primary goal is to improve the quality of life for local residents, either by improving the environment, enhancing the visual impact of the landscape, boosting tourism or delivering economic benefits to the region.”

EDF Energy Renewables has supported more than 55 local projects and activities through the Teesside Offshore Community Benefit Fund, which was launched last year by the company in partnership with the Tees Valley Community Foundation.

Through the scheme, community groups on Teesside are eligible to apply for financial support for projects, activities and events that benefit local people.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by EDF Energy Renewables .