£5,000 for Salisbury football club supporting bereaved dads
The grant means Sands United FC can take part in their first league
A Salisbury sports club, who supports bereaved fathers through the powers of football, is being awarded a grant from the Wiltshire Community foundation.
Thanks to £5,220, from the Coronavirus Response and Recovery Fund, Sands United FC can kick off their first league.
The money will cover the costs of hiring a training pitch for a year.
So far, the fund has distributed more than £1.1 million through more than 260 grants.
HOW THE SALISBURY TEAM STARTED
There are a number of Sands United football teams around the country, linked to the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, Sands.
Sam Woolford is the manager of the Salisbury team. He set it up after his baby daughter Etta died at just 27 days old.
She was born in November 2019 with multiple heart defects and and had open heart surgery at ten days old.
"I'm proud every time I achieve something with this team because it feels like I am putting purpose on her life. I know a lot of the other players feel that way too.
"I still have my low points, it's been a year-and-a-half since Etta died and it still hurts just as much. But this has definitely helped. I think there's a wound with the loss of a child that will never heal. I'm coming to terms with that and actually I kind of want that ability to feel that strongly about my daughter, I don't ever want to forget how strongly I feel about her."
"THE MONEY IS INSTRUMENTAL"
There are now 33 players and three non-playing members. Sam says they are grateful for the grant, as it's been instrumental in the team's rapid progress:
"Knowing that we have training covered for a year by the Wiltshire Community Foundation's grant is unbelievably helpful. It means we can focus on the other things we need to take care of.
"They have also given us great advice in how we set up our constitution and attracted board members. The support the community foundation has given us with this grant is immeasurable."
Training began in December although they were parted again until restrictions on sport were lifted in March.
Sands United Salisbury will become affiliated to the Wiltshire FA this summer and join the Salisbury District League in September.
If you're interested in taking part, you can contact Sands United FC salisbury by emailing sufcsalisbury@gmail.com