The Community 500 scheme, which has returned this season, sees Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) distribute complimentary tickets provided by the Club to participants across the 80 programmes CACT delivers in the local community.
The scheme aims to give people in the local community the chance to attend a match at The Valley, many of them for the very first time.
Those who participate in CACT’s programmes are offered the chance to attend men’s and women’s first-team games at The Valley as well as women’s team games at The Oakwood.
Participants on CACT’s football holiday courses at locations across Greenwich, Bexley and Kent are among those who are offered tickets to matches.
Erika Pearce, who took her children to the men’s team’s home game against Port Vale, said:
“We love Charlton and their community work, particularly in Sevenoaks; we’ve attended their holiday camps non-stop for 5 years now. We never look elsewhere as the football coaching is not only top quality, but their staff is also formed by truly lovely people (especially Tina, Sam & Matt) who have inspired my children to dream of a career in football.
“Going to The Valley was a dream come true for them. We experienced first-hand a lovely family atmosphere, the emotions were constantly running high, but feeling very safe at the same time; super easy to get to as well! We’ll definitely be back in the future!”
At the game, Erika’s children also had the opportunity to meet women’s first-team players Kiera Skeels, Melissa Johnson and Karin Muya.
Bradley Marshall, CACT’s Senior Football & Sports Development Officer, said:
“It’s a brilliant scheme the Club offer to allow CACT to enhance our experience to anyone engaging in our programmes across our 7 strands of work. In this case we offered tickets to those attending our football holiday courses.
“After player visits from Scott Fraser, Ashley Maynard-Brewer, Terell Thomas and the entire women’s first-team, the children were so excited to be able to go to a game at The Valley soon after.”
CACT’s holiday football courses will return for the October half-term at locations across South East London and Kent. Click here to book a place.
Click here to find out more about ticket availability to upcoming Charlton Athletic matches
