WHAT A FARCE
Hundreds hit as curtain falls on panto
THESE new black and white shirts are ‘selling like hotcakes’ and have proven a hit among NUFC fans.
But they’re not the Magpies’ latest official strip.
Instead, the striped T-shirts, hoodies and jumpers bear the logo ‘Toon Aid,’ and are being sold to raise money for Newcastle’s West End foodbank.
The largest of its kind in the country, the foodbank is in desperate need of cash to keep running, and its bosses say money is also usually more efficient than donations of food when it comes to keeping their shelves stocked – a particular challenge in the run-up to Christmas.
Toon Aid, a new, Newcastle-based charity, has pledged to help. Among a host of other fundraising activities, they’ve produced the new shirts, with all profits from their sale going directly to the food bank.
Organiser Dipu Ahad said: “They’re selling like hotcakes. The first ones we ordered sold out really quickly, we just couldn’t keep up with demand. “We’ve sold about 220, and we’re going to re-order another 500 because they’ve been so popular. They’ve really connected with Newcastle United fans.” Dipu, a long-time Newcastle fan, says he’s joined forces with the NUFC fans’ foodbank to raise money for the cause. Thanks to donations and the profits from the shirts, they’ve so far raised nearly £25,000, and are aiming to hit at least £50,000 by Christmas. And he hopes Toon fans will be able to help out even further. He said: “What we’re asking is for every fan attending the last home game of the season at St James’ Park on Wednesday to give us £1 each. That’s it, we don’t want any more than £1. But if 50,000 fans gave us that £1, we’ll have raised the £50k just on that day. “All we want is a small amount – if we all contribute a small amount, then we can all be part of a big change in the city. “We all spend hundreds of pounds on season tickets and matches, let’s all spare just £1 for the most vulnerable.” Shirts cost between £20 and £35 and can be ordered at https://www.facebook.com/ToonAid1892/
If we all contribute a small amount, then we can all be part of a big change in the city Dipu Ahad