...continued
Most children who attend the sessions come from local primary schools, all located within a mile-and-a-half radius of Clapham Junction, including Sacred Heart, Chesterton, St Faith's and Alderbrook. "It's important that the sessions are free," adds Annie Miles, JSFC's secretary, "because this is an area of high-density, low-income housing with high concentrations of ethnic minorities and recent immigrants. Most of the other football schemes operating in the area have a cost attached to them, which puts them out of the reach of most of our kids."
South West Trains was interested in supporting JSFC because the company's anti-vandalism objectives support the provision of safe, supervised activities for children. South West Trains donated £3,000 in its first year, which was matched by Sports Match, the government and Sports Council initiative to promote business involvement in sport. The company gave £4,000 the following year, when the programme's contribution to the local community was noted by Battersea Crime Prevention Panel Charity. The latter also provided a grant to help fund the two Youth League teams, for under-10s and under-11s, thus extending the programme to all primary school-age children.
And now South West Trains' latest donation is a cheque for £4,300, which has allowed this valuable community project to continue. "Without the generous support of South West Trains, the scheme would not have happened," explains Bill, "and 60 or so children would not be enjoying the benefits of organised sport each Saturday morning. We cannot thank them enough."
How you can help
For more information on JSFC, or to help in any way, call 020 7421 7819 or you can email annie.miles@talenttv.com.
page 2 of 2
