Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) has thanked Valley Gold for donating £1,000 to the Upbeats programme ahead of Saturday’s Upbeats Walk.
Valley Gold, the supporter-run scheme to provide financial support to the Charlton Athletic Academy, has long supported CACT’s Upbeats programme for young people and adults with Down’s syndrome.
The Upbeats were due to take part in a special crossbar challenge at Charlton’s home match against Wigan, with Valley Gold set to donate £1,000 if all Upbeats hit it. With the match postponed, Valley Gold has nonetheless agreed to donate £1,000 to the programme.
This substantial donation will help keep the Upbeats project, which is entirely reliant on voluntary donations, running until next April.
Carl Krauhaus, CACT’s Head of Early Help & Prevention said:
“We really appreciate this very generous donation from Valley Gold. The support we’ve had for the Upbeats so far this year has again been brilliant and we can’t thank everyone enough.
“The Upbeats were looking forward to trying to hit the bar once again, as they did in 2017, but we’re very thankful for Valley Gold donating the £1,000 despite the postponement.”
Matt Baker, Chair of Valley Gold and CAFC Club Chaplain, said:
“It’s a privilege to continue to support the fantastic Upbeats programme. I know Valley Gold members have enjoyed seeing the Upbeats at the Valley in the last few years so we are pleased that we are still able to make this donation”
Supporters are encouraged to walk 1 mile for the Upbeats between 11am and 1pm on Saturday 25 April to help raise money for the project.