EIGHT Knutsford sports clubs which deliver youth sporting activities have received a share of outgoing Town Mayor Cllr Andrew Malloy’s charitable fundraising efforts.
Andrew was elected Town Mayor in May 2019 and was due to stand down in May 2020 when his term was extended by six months due to the coronavirus lockdown which also resulted in the cancellation of the key fundraising event of a mayor’s term – the Mayor’s Ball.
Over the past 18 months Andrew held a number of fundraising events to raise funds for youth sporting clubs and to create a starter fund for a Knutsford Skatepark. With the support of a number of local businesses and residents Andrew hosted a BBQ, Christmas Disco, three ‘Dine with the Mayor’ evenings a pub quiz, a virtual family quiz, a Christmas raffle and a virtual raffle. Along with Mayoress Nicole Malloy Andrew also tackled two active challenges – cycling over 100 miles across Cheshire East in September 2019 and tackling a 9.5-hour hike around the Cheshire Three Peaks in October 2020.
His efforts, and the generosity of a number of sponsors and guests at his would-be ball, allowed Andrew to raise a total of £13,430[1]. Half of this will be distributed between the eight sporting clubs with the rest put aside to help deliver a skatepark for the town.
Andrew contracted the various sporting organisations involved in delivering youth sports in Knutsford to find out how they could use a share of the funding and £6,715 was shared between the eight sports clubs.
Egerton Football Club received £985 which will be match funded by the FA to provide new small, sided goals and the same amount went to Toft Cricket Club to help fund a new tarpaulin and lighting to allow practice during the winter.
Knutsford Rugby Club received £640 to fund coaching training with the Rugby Football Union and the Canute Badminton Club will also be training more of its coaches with its £350 share of the funding which will also fund new agility trailing equipment.
Swimming club the Knutsford Vikings received £985 to wards the cost of new starting blocks and Knutsford Hockey Club will be spending its £985 on a goalkeeper kit and new hockey sticks.
The final awards were made to Knutsford Tennis Club (£800) and Knutsford Netball Club (£985) who will be applying the funding to future projects.
Cllr Malloy said “I have been overwhelmed throughout my term by the generosity and support of so many people and businesses. Only with their support could the Mayoress and I have raised so much money for the young people of our town, to support their health, fitness and mental health.
With our local sports clubs really struggling during lockdown, I’ve been delighted to be able to support them. We had an incredible year as a Mayoral team, and enjoyed so many amazing events, in particular showcasing active organisations and challenges, and we really look forward to continuing our active lives with our children.”
Knutsford’s new Town Mayor, Cllr Stewart Gardiner will be announcing his chosen charities at the formal investiture planned for December 7th.
[1] The total includes £3,600 which was paid as a deposit for the Mayor’s Ball. This deposit has been carried forward for an event in the new Town Mayor’s term and will be reimbursed from ticket income. In the unlikely event that it cannot go ahead, the skatepark share of the funding will be reduced by £3,600.