2019 has been another busy year for Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT), which worked with more than 43,500 people in the last financial year.
January saw CACT launch its new Street Violence Ruins Lives (SVRL) strategy by inviting Deputy Mayor of London for Policing & Crime Sophie Linden to The Valley as players wore SVRL t-shirts.
In February CACT celebrated the annual Football v Homophobia themed matchday with affiliated LGBTQI+ friendly team CACT Invicta.
Former Mayor of Greenwich Cllr Christine May visited CACT’s E-Z Cycle scheme in March. The e-bike scheme allows residents to hire a bike for just £10 a month.
200 supporters did the annual Upbeats Walk to fundraise for CACT’s Down’s syndrome team in April. Four Upbeats also took on Dillon Phillips, Chris Solly, Jake Forster-Caskey and Josh Cullen in a swimming race to promote the walk.
Two months later, the Upbeats won their ninth national title.
In May, Darren Pratley and Katie Startup won PFA Community Champion at the Player of the Year Awards for engagement with CACT programmes.
CACT’s Extra Time Hub for over 55s re-launched nationally in June, and was later visited by the Under Secretary of State for Health.
July saw the Up & At ‘Em mental health programme for over 65s win one of two national accolades and more than 70 people join the Charlton Family at the Pride in London parade.
In August, CACT renewed its partnership with ITRM for a further year, and announced Digital Fusion as Official Print Partner.
Lord Grade of Yarmouth CBE hosted the inaugural CACT Awards in September, celebrating the achievements of CACT participants, staff and partners at the House of Lords.
Young Greenwich Day went pink for Lyle Taylor’s Pink October.
Over 400 young people took part in November’s EFL Girls Cup and Kids Cup tournaments, visited by Jonny Williams, Dillon Phillips, Jenna Legg and Katie Startup.
Extra Time members sang carols at the CACT Christmas Spirit Day game against Hull City on 13 December.
Fans donated gifts to the Giving Tree for young people CACT supports through its mentoring, who may not get any other presents this Christmas.
And the Club have invited Up & At ‘Em participants to today’s Boxing Day game. Christmas can be a lonely time for certain individuals, and the programme looks to reduce social isolation.