Charities set to bank cup run windfall

By David Watters

Hastings United

Hastings United are looking forward to donating £2000 to two local charities on Saturday during their final league fixture of the Ryman South campaign against Crawley Down Gatwick.

Thanks to the Sussex club’s famous run to the FA Cup’s Third Round last season, the Arrows have been handed £2000 from the FA’s Community Shield Fund to donate to up to three local charities or community-based projects of their choice.

Every season ticket and match programme sales from the FA Community Shield fixture at Wembley between the Premier League and FA Cup winners raises hundreds of thousands for clubs who make it to the First Round Proper to put back into their local communities.

The Arrows announced on Tuesday that they’ve decided to split the sum between Charity for Kids and the Hastings Royal National Lifeboat Institution, with both picking up their cheques during half-time at Pilot Field as they bid to secure a play-off spot and possible promotion.

Charity for Kids was established to make a difference to the lives of sick, disabled and terminally ill children in Hastings, St Leonards, Bexhill, Battle and the surrounding area. Run by volunteers, the charity is aiming is to set up a much needed local respite facility.

The Hastings RNLI has been saving lives at sea for more than 150 years and are planning to use their cup windfall for equipment costs and crew training.

Hastings RNLI Coxswain Steve Warne said: "Everyone at the lifeboat station is really grateful to Hastings United for this fabulous donation. The RNLI can only operate through the generosity of the general public, and it’s even more special when that generosity comes from so close to home."

Earlier this season the club raised nearly £1000 for nearby St Michaels Hospice when fans were asked to pay what they wanted to watch a match with the proceeds later donated to the charity. Hastings Director Simon Rudkins is delighted the club is continuing to help local good causes this weekend.

He said: "It really is great news that the football club, itself run by volunteers, has been able to support three brilliant local causes over the course of the last 12 months and we will continue to do what we can in the future to be a positive part of the Hastings community."

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