A Cray Jewell

If you've ever been to watch Cray Wanderers at Hayes Lane then you'll have heard the Jewell family even if you haven't met them in person- as they tend to make an almighty racket whilst supporting their team! Dad Adrian- responsible for a significant amount of the noise and all of the flags- has been in touch to tell us about a charity project being spearheaded by his son James; and we thought we'd tell you, as it is a fabulous and heart-warming tale.

Around six years ago, junior Jewell James- that's him, pictured above in familiar colours- decided that he wanted to help children less fortunate than himself. With the help of his family and grandparents, he arranged to sell home made lemonade and cake to friends in aid of a small donation to the local children's hospice, Little Havens.

Over time, this idea grew- and these days the family host a full-blown Garden Fete, where they play games such as penalty shoot out, coconut shy and hoopla, providing all the fun of a (rather small) fair! Last year the children, as James has been joined in his efforts by sister Faith- raised £1000 from this one event.

This year coronavirus hasn't just got in the way of our football, it's put paid to this year's fete, too. Undeterred, James and Faith decided to do something different and far more solitary, with an online quiz, and a number of sponsored activities which they could carry out in the privacy of their own home. Keepie uppies, handstands, a netball shoot out, a sponsored silence, the list goes on and on... This has been supported by James's football team, Thundersley Rovers, and Faith's netball team and gymnastics group.

The Hospice is struggling in the current climate, but so far the total the children have raised this year stands at almost nine hundred pounds. However they want to do more, and that's where you can help. They've designed a football quiz, and you can enter for a small donation- or you can perhaps make it a large donation if you feel like it! The winner will get a ten pound gift card which James has donated, but it isn't about prizes, it's about having a go (rather sadly just like the football season we've just finished).

So, we'd like you to head HERE- and have a go!

Good luck to all, and thanks to James and Faith for doing such a wonderful job for the hospice.