Oldham sports clubs offered a helping hand

OLDHAM’s sports clubs are being urged to take advantage of a major fund-raising boost.

A new partnership called JustGiving for Sports Clubs is aiming to bring an extra £22 million into amateur clubs over the next five years.

It will help members raise money and claim Gift Aid, using the same award-winning tools as the biggest charities in the UK.

JustGiving has dropped its subscription fees, worth £180 per year, for every Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC).

The benefits include being able to raise money more easily and efficiently, making it easier to claim Gift Aid with all the administration provided to get 28p from the Government for every £1 raised, weekly payments to help plan ahead, and people on hand to give help and advice.

Former England cricket captain Mike Gatting joined Sport England and JustGiving at Lords Cricket Ground to launch the campaign and urged sports clubs everywhere to sign up.

Gatting, who is now the England and Wales Cricket Board’s Managing Director of Cricket Partnerships, said: “Fund raising for sports clubs can be time-consuming and daunting and takes volunteers away from what they do best – running sport.

“JustGiving for Sports Clubs could really make a difference by helping clubs raise more money for sport in a quick and simple way.

“I’m urging everyone involved in running sports clubs to sign up today and start making a real difference in the local community.”

The scheme is being delivered in association with CCPR, the alliance of governing bodies of sport, who will make sure that clubs who haven’t yet registered for CASC status can join and take advantage of mandatory rate relief and Gift Aid.

Ashley Cricket Club in Cheshire has already signed up and raised £480 in donations and £140 in Gift Aid in two weeks.

Sport England Chief Executive Jennie Price said: “In this tough economic climate, we need to do everything possible to support the community sports clubs that do so much to get more people playing and enjoying sport.

“Thanks to JustGiving for Sports Clubs, community sport’s fabulous army of volunteers will now be able to spend more time on sport and less time on fundraising.”

Only one in 10 clubs currently takes advantage of the right to claim Gift Aid, meaning many are missing out on vital funds.

JustGiving Managing Director Anne-Marie Huby said: “Most people who raise money on JustGiving each year do so through sport, and yet the sports clubs they belong to keep struggling with fundraising.

“This is our way of giving sports clubs a helping hand, and letting them enjoy the fundraising success that thousands of other small charities have achieved through JustGiving.”

The scheme has the backing of the three main political parties.

To take advantage, visit http://charities.justgiving.com/justgiving-for-sports-clubs/