Stones fundraisers reach £100,000 charity milestone
Latest trek raises £2,000 for cancer fund
They’ve walked, cycled and jangled buckets for more than a quarter of a century – and now a group of Maidstone United supporters have hit the £100,000 mark with their charity fundraising.
Former Stones goalkeeper Les Apps has been the driving force behind the challenges, with help from pal Alan Butcher.
Around 20 good causes have benefited in that time.
Beneficiaries include national charities such as the Poppy Appeal and The Cystic Fibrosis Fund.
The pair have also helped to buy playground equipment for Five Acre Wood School, Boughton Lane, Maidstone, and a specialist wheelchair for a disabled neighbour.
But closest to their hearts has been a fund set up by a late friend.
Mr Apps, 70, said: “I got to know Peggy Wood very well. She was so comical, and I used to come away from seeing her crying with laughter. I started off raising money for the Kent Leukaemia and Cancer Equipment Fund, which she set up and is now the Peggy Wood Foundation.
“There was the odd darts match or collection. Then other people used to ask me to help them with things. I’m so used to it now it’s just a normal thing for me.
“We just like to help people, and have a really good laugh while we’re doing it.”
In total, they have organised 10 fundraising football matches, 10 sponsored bike rides, and on Saturday they completed a fourth 20-mile river walk, from Tonbridge to Maidstone.
While the funds are still being counted, their latest effort is expected to have raised more than £2,000 for Breast Cancer Care.
Mr Apps, of Cambridge Crescent, Park Wood, added: “People have been unbelievably generous and we have so many people to thank, including family, Lashings, Maidstone United veterans, everyone at The Parkwood Tavern and all the other supporters.”