Community to the rescue of sports club
A COMMUNITY fundraiser has raised £1,500 to help a Coventry sports and social club get back on its feet after a traveller incursion left them out-of-pocket.
The gates to mount fields at the Massey Ferguson Sports and Social Club ground were broken allowing travellers to access the site on Friday, July 31.
Bailiffs forced them off the site the following Wednesday in line with a court order.
The incursion occurred just days before children were set to return to the sports pitches leaving kids disappointed when football matches and cricket games had to be cancelled.
It also left the club with a bill of around £6,000 for costs for removal, clean-up, repairs and installation of new security.
Keen to help out, kindhearted residents have rallied together to raise just under £1,500 in support of the club so far.
Mum-of-one Natalie Joyce, 34, who set up the fundraiser, said: “I only live around the corner so when it happened we went down to have a look. We saw the team’s heartbreak and it was devastating.
“We have such a tight community on our estate so I thought if everybody chips in we can help them out.
“It is a well-used facility for the community and a lot of people go through with their dogs and walk with children during lockdown. It has been a great local open space.
“My son is hoping to start playing football there in September as well so we wanted to help get them ready. We have got halfway to our £3,000 target so far so we have done quite well.”
Local group the Tile Hill Community Partnership is also putting an application together for £2,500 funding from the Alan Higgs Trust. Ward councillor Julia Lepoidevin, who is part of the group, said: “I am thrilled that the community has been so generous. It is wonderful to have these community facilities in our ward.”
The club said the front gates and locks to the sports ground were badly damaged and have had to be replaced. Aaron Baker, who helps run the club, which is based on Broad Lane, said: “All in it will end up costing us around £6,000, although some of this is for enhancing security for the future.
“We are not for profit so the cash that has gone into the rectification and in enhancing security is cash that would have otherwise gone into the ongoing enhancements of our club.
“Most upsetting was cancelling the children’s games as they have just been allowed to start again after lockdown.”
Speaking on the fundraiser, he said: “It’s great. We really work hard to keep everything in great condition up there, so to know the community is alongside us is amazing.”
Visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/masseys-sports-field