MUSC Lancaster + A.C.E.
For two young members of the Lancaster Supporters’ Branch the opportunity to take on the United for the Children fundraising challenge was a welcome distraction. Season ticket holders Rory, 14, and Elliot, 16, made the decision to complete a gruelling 65-mile off-road cycle from their hometown of Lancaster to Old Trafford.
Andy Baker, the Supporters’ Club secretary - and also Elliot’s Dad - explained how the club came up with the challenge idea. “We looked at the possible options of what to do for fundraising but because of the Covid problems we couldn’t all get together. Then I talked to my son and thought, ‘A bike ride would be a good idea! Let’s cycle from Lancaster to Old Trafford!’ Luckily I didn’t have to do anything and it was Elliot and Rory who did all the work!”
Andy also explained the choice of charity that the supporters’ branch would fundraise for: “We’ve opted for a charity called A.C.E. It’s a small charity in Lancaster and when we got the call from the Foundation we asked the members and this is the one we came up with. It’s a small charity and it’s not very well known so we thought it was a good one to fundraise for.”
Lucy Reynolds, from A.C.E, said: "A.C.E is an amazing charity that offers free therapy and support to young people, helping them to build resilience and improve mental health and emotional wellbeing. I don’t have to tell anyone about the tough times some of our young people are facing right now, and the work that A.C.E do is just that: ACE.”
Andy continued to praise the work of the football club and the Foundation during the Covid-19 crisis and explained what it means to supporters’ branches to be involved in the fundraising efforts:
“I think it’s critical for the club and the branches to work together and we’ve been around a long time. We’re out in the community engaging with people on a day-to-day basis so I think the fact the Foundation does things like this and we’re working together can be beneficial for both.
“The club has been brilliant during the Covid crisis; we’ve been involved in a few things, some ex-players contacted some of our over 70s supporters and we’re grateful for that. I just think as a club we’ve been phenomenal.“
Find out more about joining the Lancaster Supporters’ Club.
Learn more about A.C.E.