Participants from a range of Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) programmes have been enjoying new experiences at The Valley as part of the Community 500 scheme, which has returned for the 2022-23 season.
The scheme sees complimentary tickets to each Charlton Athletic home EFL League One game to those from a range of community programme in the local area.
Participants are offered the chance to attend men’s first-team games at The Valley, while work is also ongoing to extend opportunities to watch Charlton Athletic Women matches.
Participants from CACT’s Walking Football sessions are among those to have made the most of the Community 500 at recent home games.
Mike Milne, a regular Walking Football participant, said:
“I’ve had tickets over the years and it’s been great to see live football instead of watching on telly. I’ve taken my nephew a few times and he’s now a dedicated Charlton fan! It’s a privilege to receive complimentary tickets and really appreciated.”
Fellow Walking Football participant Guy Wilkins said:
“Sincere thanks for the complimentary match day tickets at the Valley over the last few seasons. It has been great to come along to games and be able to bring friends and other family members, they have loved it! C’mon you reds!”
Robin Brown, Walking Football participant, added:
“Thanks for the tickets to Charlton. I’ve been able to take both my daughter and brother to the matches. They are both lapsed season ticket holders, I’m hoping it will encourage them to join me there more often!”
Another Health Improvement project which has benefitted from the Community 500 tickets is FIT FANS, a 12-week fitness programme.
Alison Holloway who undertook FIT FANS with CACT, said:
“Thank you for the complimentary match day tickets. I was able to take my foster daughters who had never been to a live football match and one of them is a Millwall supporter and she really enjoyed it.”
Tickets have also been offered to Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust staff members, whom CACT work with closely on a number of mental and physical health programmes. The staff members were offered the tickets as part of a wellbeing programme.
CACT’s Premier League-funded programme Kicks uses sport to engage young people in communities which are vulnerable to crime. Kicks participants are often offered Community 500 tickets to engage them in positive enrichment activities. The young people from CACT’s holiday football courses are often offered the opportunity to attend upcoming home games along with CACT’s Post 16 Football and Education Academy students.
Members of Invicta, CACT’s LGBTQ+ friendly team which prides itself on being inclusive of everyone, have also benefitted from the Community 500 tickets in recent years.