FC Cymru: Gôl
FC Cymru’s Laurence Mora talks all things Euro 2020 with Gôl’s Tim Hartley, Rhys Hartley and Tom Griffiths.
To Baku and Back
The Euros may be cancelled but that won’t stop Welsh football supporters travelling to Baku. The fans’ charity, Gôl Cymru, is walking and running 11,291 kilometres, the distance they would have travelled from Cardiff to Baku, on to Rome and back to Cardiff to watch the national team’s first round games. The money raised by groups and individuals all goes to children’s causes across Wales.
Gôl Cymru has pledged £5,000 to children’s and young people good causes. Supporters get to run or walk whatever distance they choose and get their family and friends to sponsor them. They log the distance they have notched up against that massive total getting us to Baku and back. Some people are seasoned athletes, other very much beginners.
Helen Lucitt from Gôl Cymru said, ‘Before April I couldn’t run for two minutes. I’ve never done anything like this before but I’m now running five kilometres a day for Gôl Cymru. Just because we are not following Wales away doesn’t mean we cannot continue to raise money. During these very uncertain times it is great to be able to help the children in any way we can.’
Gôl Cymru is already helping 5 different charities across Wales:
Radio City’s Cash for Kids Appeal helps make sure that families in need do not go without basics such as food, nappies and baby milk. Laura Charlton from Radio City, said, ‘Because of your donation, we were able to support 20 families living in temporary housing in Flintshire. Some of these families had experienced domestic abuse and as a result have had to leave their homes. Your donation will have enabled these families to feel less isolated and knowing they are part of a community that care.’
In south Wales Gôl Cymru has helped The Play Yard continue to provide free lunches to the community for an entire week, equating to at least 1,000 meals for children all over Rhondda Cynon Taff. Donations have also been made to Tŷ Hafan, Maggie’s and a youth project in Cwmbran. Tŷ Hafan offers comfort, care and support to life-limited children, young people and their families in the hospice, in the community and in their home so they can make the most of the time they have left together.
Maggie’s has two centres in Swansea and Cardiff which allow families facing cancer to share experiences with others in a similar situation around a kitchen table or in an online community. The Swansea City legend Alan Curtis, the club’s ambassador for Maggie’s, said, ‘On behalf of the team, I would like to say a heartfelt thanks to Gôl Cymru for their kind donation so that Maggie’s can buy books for children visiting the centre who’s families have been affected by cancer. It’s hugely appreciated.’
Photograph: Maggie’s cancer support
“In Gwent Gôl Cymru are supporting the Cwmbran Centre for Young People (CCYP) which provides lifestyle and leisure opportunities for young people. The former Wales defender Danny Gabbidon, a supporter of CCYP, said, ‘A big, big thank you to Gôl. Over the last ten weeks we have learned a lot of things about looking after ourselves and our loved ones but also about reaching out to others. And that’s exactly what Gôl have done. Many thanks.’
Video: Danny Gabbidon
The supporters have already raised more than £1,000 and donations can be made via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cardiffbakurome Kevin Davies from Gôl Cymru said, ‘It’s great to see how the Red Wall has responded to the Baku and Back challenge. The fans do our country credit everywhere we go. We been overwhelmed with the support we have received and even I have started taking long walks. Thanks to everyone for their c