2017 has been a momentous year for Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT), which has celebrated 25 years of the community programme at Charlton Athletic with a variety of events to help support its work across South East London and Kent.
The year’s celebrations are climaxing this weekend with the Back At The Valley anniversary game against Portsmouth on Saturday, which CACT will receive 25% of home ticket and programme sales from. This is followed on Sunday by the anniversary dinner with Charlton legends, organised by the 25th Anniversary Committee.
This year’s fundraising activities have also included the Keith Peacock golf day, Legends United charity match, and the Sidemen FC game.
These funds raised will go to secure the long term future of Charlton Athletic Community Trust and ensure it can continue to improve the lives of local people across South East London and Kent, by funding infrastructure and projects.
For example, funds raised this year will help CACT continue to run its disability football provision, mental health programmes, invest in new music equipment for young people in the Royal Borough of Greenwich to develop their skills and pursue their ambitions and a classroom at Sparrows Lane so young people can develop employability skills and gain qualifications.
Supporters have generously supported CACT over the years, raising over £150,000 for the Charlton Upbeats since 2008 and supporting the Legends United game in September.
A recent year-long study found that every £1 CACT invests is worth £6.89 in social value. Donations can go a long way to helping deliver social change at the heart of the community.
In addition to the 25% of home ticket and programme sales, Regular Cleaning have also agreed to make a donation based on the attendance of the game.
CACT Chief Executive Jason Morgan MBE said: "We are very grateful to the club for their generosity in donating 25% of ticket and programme sales to CACT from the game. The Fans’ Forum proposed this initiative for ticket sales targets and therefore providing additional funding that will support our projects.
“The Supporters’ Trust are being proactive in promoting this to fans who will also be able to select, after Saturday, one of CACT’s projects for funds to support. My thanks to the fans, the club and Regular Cleaning for their support around the game, and let’s hope it's a great day.”
As of Thursday night 14,770 tickets have been sold; just 230 away from unlocking a donation of £2,000 to CACT.
You can buy tickets for Saturday’s game by visiting https://booking.cafc.co.uk/home.aspx