November: ‘Bundles’ of support from the Red Wall
As Wales took on Belarus and Belgium in their final World Cup qualifying matches, the supporters charity, Gôl Cymru, visited Bundles, a Newport-based organisation which helps young families in need. Bundles distribute baby clothes and equipment to women and families in need covering the period from maternity through 3 years old. They also provide support to those facing difficult situations and who may be in crisis through referrals.
The Wales fans donated sterilisers, baby monitors, blankets and baby towels to help families who, like every one of us, want the best for their newborn children. Gôl Cymru also raised funds to buy bottles, nappies and wipes as well as supporting a friendship support scheme, the Bundle Buddies, which offers a friendly face to families at such a critical time of life.
Sally-Anne Evans from Bundles said, ‘We believe no child should be in need and no mother should feel alone at such a critical time. Having a baby is a life changing experience, and also can be a lonely time if you are new to a community and don’t know anyone. Bundles aim to provide much needed support, a friendly face and kindness. We are very grateful to Gôl Cymru and all the Wales supporters who have donated. There can be no better example of what ‘Together Stronger’ really means than the generosity of fans from all over Wales.’
Andrew Dowling, who is running 52 half marathons this year for Gôl Cymru, said, ‘We all want the very best for our children but sometimes we need just a little bit of support. As a dad myself, I am proud to be able to help Bundles to help young families. They do great work and support people at some of the most treasured, but often stressful times of their lives.’
Notes to Editors
Bundles are on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/bundlesbirthsupport
For more information contact Tim Hartley on +44 7716 812043
Gôl Cymru supports children’s charities whenever the national team plays.
Founded in Azerbaijan in 2002 by fans who ‘wanted to make a difference’, it has been active in more than 40 countries and offers financial and practical support to good causes.
You can donate here: www.justgiving.com/gol
October: From Prague to Tallinn – Gôl Cymru on the road again!
It was great to see the Red Wall finally back in numbers at last month’s World Cup qualifiers. And the supporters’ charity Gôl Cymru too was in action once again raising money for children’s causes in the Czech Republic and Estonia.
In Prague they supported Raptors FC, a community team made up of dozens of nationalities, which works with different partners to combat discrimination in football. The club also helps disadvantaged children and those who may be suffering from malnutrition and poverty.
Daz Moss, President of Raptors FC said, ‘One of the first charities we started working with was Brave Bear, an amazing organisation who help kids in all kinds of horrible situations in eastern Czech Republic. Last month we had a group of teenagers from their home attend our academy sessions and share their stories with us over dinner. It was a very humbling experience. They are great kids and have had a lot to deal with in their lives already – they are a perfect candidate for the very generous donation from Gôl Cymru.’
The Gôl Cymru team then moved on to Tallinn where they met Igale Lapsele Pere which offers advice and support to children in an adopted, guardian or foster family and who may have experienced trauma or the loss of the most important primary contact in their lives.
Jane Snaith from Igale Lapsele Pere said, ’It is wonderful to see how social responsibility in any society grows. Children left without parental care need a lot of support from their new family to be able to play even the simplest games. It is good for them to have the opportunity of having a new family to replace broken or lost families. We are so grateful for these thoughts from your team.’
Tom Griffiths from Gôl Cymru said, ‘Wales fans have once again been very busy raising money. Leigh James organised two terrific pre-match fundraising parties in Prague and Tallinn for the Wales fans. It’s great to be able to help disadvantaged children wherever and whenever Wales play.’
Gôl Cymru was founded in 2002 by fans who ‘wanted to make a difference’ and offers financial and practical support to good causes. It has now been active in more than 40 countries.
You can donate here – www.justgiving.com/gol
Follow Gôl on twitter @GolCymru and on Facebook- www.facebook.com/golcymru.