Grassroots football club improves pitch with help of local engineering firm’s grant
A Cumbrian engineering firm has provided a much-needed boost to a grassroots football club by awarding them a grant to improve their pitch.
The Shepley Group Fund, established by Whitehaven-based Shepley Engineers Limited in 2009, aims to support small, volunteer-led or community groups assisting those facing disadvantage. Managed by Cumbria Community Foundation, the fund has distributed over £160,000 in grants to various projects since its inception. In the past few months, the fund has awarded a total of £11,300 to six projects.
One of the recipients, Gosforth Juniors Football Club, received £800 to purchase a piece of equipment that will allow them to carry out pitch maintenance and improvements themselves, rather than relying on expensive external contractors.
Tim Ferris, of Gosforth Juniors FC, expressed his gratitude for the grant, stating, “Relying on external contractors rapidly depletes our limited club reserves, making it financially unsustainable to maintain the required pitch quality long-term. The £800 funding will pay for a tractor-mounted PTO cone spreader attachment. This equipment will enable our club volunteers to carry out pitch maintenance ourselves, eliminating high contractor fees while significantly improving turf density and playability for our junior and youth teams.”
Ryan Christie, Group Operations Support Manager at the Shepley Group, also emphasized the importance of supporting organizations like Gosforth Juniors Football Club, which is located near Sellafield, where much of their work is based.
“Junior football clubs provide a vital role in communities across Cumbria, keeping young people fit and boosting their mental health too. Hundreds of people give up their own time each week to volunteer both on and off the pitch. We are delighted to be able to support this project, which will enable the community to be more self-sufficient, bringing key skills and jobs in-house. We hope this grant will have a positive impact for all at Gosforth Juniors FC and wish them all the best for the season ahead.”
Other projects that have received support from the Shepley Group Fund include Boxwise Foundation, Every Life Matters, Lighthouse Centre Limited, Phoenix Enterprise Centre, and Time to Change West Cumbria.
Annalee Holliday, Head of Grants Practice and Programmes at Cumbria Community Foundation, expressed her gratitude for the Shepley Group’s support, stating, “The Shepley Group Fund supports a wide range of vital projects across Cumbria, making a real difference where help is most needed. We are really grateful that they trust us to deliver this essential work.”
Cumbria Community Foundation gives around £6million in grants every year to local charities and voluntary groups through over 100 grantmaking funds set up by generous businesses, individuals, and families.
For more information on setting up a fund and supporting those in need in Cumbria, please contact Development Manager Caroline Adams on 01900 820825 or email caroline@cumbriafoundation.org.
