Cash for Kids: Sports superstars raise over £84K in charity challenge!

Author: Paul ReillyPublished 30th Oct 2023

Sports clubs from across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife & Falkirk have raised a phenomenal £84,149.63 to help more local children achieve their athletic potential.

The dream of one day becoming an Olympic hero or a Commonwealth Games medallist is something that is beyond the reach of so many children.

For families who are financially struggling, being unable to afford kit and membership fees means kids can miss out and clubs don’t always have the necessary support in place to allow those with a disability or additional needs to take part.

9 local sports clubs have been competing in this year’s Cash for Kids Sports Challenge, raising as much money as they can to break down these barriers.

Cash for Kids will grant back every penny and the funding will be used to support children from disadvantaged backgrounds e.g. subsidising membership fees, buying kit, upgrading facilities or training staff and volunteers to assist those with disabilities and additional needs.

The top performing clubs have also won a share of our £10,000 prize pot thanks to our Sports Challenge Funding Partner for the second year running, Mowi Salmon in Rosyth.

Lynsey McCormick from City Star Majorettes said: “City star majorettes are not just a dance troupe we are a family that look out for every single dancer. Heather and Jenny are our main troupe leaders who volunteer their time and commitment. We cannot thank them enough for all their efforts ! Committee members all come together to help make cash for kids sporting challenge a success. Ideas flooded in and it was great to see so much enthusiasm and support. We organised a dance show and performed our competition dances to families who could not attend our most recent GBBTA competition. Kids took part in bag packing at our local ASDA. We organised a fun day and dads fundraised to take part in a sponsored wax. Two of our dads climbed Ben Nevis raising an amazing amount. Dancers organised a sponsored twirl and gathered individual sponsors. Dads volunteered their time to play a sponsored football match. To be able to make it possible for dancers to compete in the Great Britain baton twirling competition and represent Scotland fundraising is essential. Funds are kept to a minimum by providing each dancer with fitted outfits including dresses, tights, dance shoes, boots, hair accessories, hats, batons and pom poms. Fundraising makes it possible to provide dancers with essential items and keeps costs low for families. City star majorettes make this experience possible for all dancers and families are very grateful.”

Cash for Kids Charity Manager Victoria Hendry said: “Sport plays an important role in childhood. As well as the physical & mental health benefits, sport also helps children make new friends and boosts their self-esteem. We want all children to have the chance take part in activities in our local communities and I’m delighted that all of the money raised in our Cash for Kids Sports Challenge will enable more children & young people in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife & Falkirk to join in and get active."

Mowi Finance Director Jo Whittem said: “Congratulations to all the participating clubs! Their outstanding efforts and achievements deserve recognition once again, and they should take great pride in their accomplishments. For the second consecutive year, Mowi Salmon Rosyth has been a proud sponsor of the Cash for Kids Sports Challenge. We consider it a tremendous honour to contribute to the well-being of the future generations in our local communities and inspire them to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. We are looking forward to meeting with the clubs and hearing the stories on how the money will benefit them."

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