Two decades of Newcastle fan friendships are marked in style
A CHARITY formed by a small group of Newcastle United fans to help disabled supporters follow their favourite football team has celebrated its 20th anniversary with a party at St James’ Park.
Newcastle United Disabled Supporters Trust was started by fans in 1998 to try to represent disabled supporters and help to improve disability provision at the club.
Since then, NUDSA – which is run by a voluntary committee – has worked closely with Newcastle United officials, with the club now one of the leading lights when it comes to providing for disabled supporters.
The club has come a long way from the small lean-to in front of the Leazes End which used to house disabled supporters not long before NUDSA was formed.
St James’ Park now has more than 230 wheelchair spaces, a sensory room and two changing places, and provides many spaces for ambulant disabled fans.
As well as working with the club, NUDSA also provides social opportunities for its members with at least four functions a year at St James’ Park, and tries to organise a few away trips each season for members – a real treat as most members don’t get to go to many matches.
NUDSA’s 20th anniversary event, sponsored by Fun88 and supported by Sodexo, was held in the Bamburgh Suite at the ground and attracted more than 200 guests for a night of entertainment, including a Q&A session with former Newcastle favourite John Beresford and broadcaster Roger Tames – plus two sets from the Baldy Holly Band. Guests also had the chance to win one of 20 fantastic raffle prizes that had been donated, as well as bid on the silent auction boasting unique items donated by former players Alan Shearer, Rob Lee and Tim Krul.
All proceeds from the night will help to fund future NUDSA events and activities, while also securing the charity’s long-term future. NUDSA chairman Gareth Beard said: “I’m very proud of what NUDSA has achieved both in our work with NUFC and in the opportunities we provide for our members. This event was a fitting celebration of NUDSA’s journey over the past 20 years. Long may it continue.”
The charity’s secretary, Paralympian Stephen Miller MBE, said: “It’s amazing to think how far NUDSA has come in 20 years. Our first event was held in the bar at Gateshead Stadium with about 50 people and now we have over 200 guests in the Bamburgh Suite – unbelievable! The success of NUDSA is down to the committee, who all give their time free to help drive the association, and our members, who support everything we do. Hopefully we can have more nights like this.”
NUDSA’s website is t www.nudsa.org and you can email info@nudsa.org.
SUPPORTERS’ GROUP FOR DISABLED FANS HAS A BALL AT ST JAMES’ PARK
Our first event was at Gateshead with about 50 people. Now we’ve more than 200 guests at St James’ Park Stephen Miller