Fund the Foundations - December

December was quite the month for Fund the Foundations! You helped us raise more than 20% of the annual £20,000 target in just one month - a truly spectacular performance from everyone involved.

There was the joint Fund the Foundations/CYCM Christmas Market on the 23rd December which was a huge success. Read the full update and find out January's prize on offer for those who have contributed.

TOTALS:
The total in the bank now stands at £12,663.08 after six months, meaning we’re 63.32% of the way towards the 12 month target of £20,000. This isn’t the time for any of us to get complacent though as there’s still loads to do and plenty of room for the scheme to grow even further!

In terms of the amount raised during just the month of December, this ended up being an incredible £4,237.66. To put it into perspective this is 21.18% of the yearly target, and a 57.88% increase on the next best month so far! This figure really hit home just how much we could wipe off the debt between us if as many as possible now signed up and donated a quid or two each month. It really is that simple. If we replicated this amount each month, we’d raise more than £50,000 in just one year.

FUNDRAISERS:
We had Dave Smith’s fundraising money hit the bank during the month, and thanks to his monumental 80 mile run this totalled a massive £1500 to help pay off the stadium debt. We thanked Dave in last month’s update but we’d like to take this opportunity to thank him again as it really has helped the club. The word on the street is he’s already planning next year’s fundraiser too, so watch this space!

On the subject of future fundraisers, we’re working on a few at the moment but the more the merrier. If anyone would like to challenge themselves in whatever way they see fit, and help raise money for your club at the same time then please get in touch…
Email: developmentfund@fc-utd.uk  

DIRECT DEBITS:
Right then, back to the figures and December’s total has also been helped by another increase in people signing up for monthly direct debits. The amount entering the ring-fenced bank account each month in direct debits alone now stands at £1319.50. Being honest it took us a little by surprise seeing an increase during a month with so many outgoings elsewhere, but nevertheless this was great to see and much appreciated.

For anyone wishing to get involved and donate monthly, or just send the club a one-off amount then you can do so via this link… https://fc-utd.co.uk/fund-the-foundations

CHRISTMAS MARKET:
Then on December 23rd before the Stafford game, FTF joined forces with Course You Can Malcolm to put on our first joint venture…the Christmas Market.

There was live music, a quiz, the players and management being quizzed by young Alfie, mulled wine, mince pies, a raffle, silent auction and gift stall.

Firstly, we as a group absolutely loved it and it was great to see the SMRE so busy. The atmosphere was superb all day, and with Reno and his troops doing the business on the pitch, along with yet another brilliant FC Uth Party beforehand, it really did make for one of those special days that will live long in the memory.

Anyway, we’re an honest bunch in the FTF group and truthfully we didn’t really know how this would all pan out, but we were blown away at how many people supported the event. We were absolutely knackered by the end but were more than hopeful we’d reached our target of £500. It turns out we certainly did that and more a quite staggering total of £1334 was raised!

At this point we’d just like to say a huge thanks to the CYCM volunteers, those who gave us gifts for the raffle and silent auction, and also to Bekki Hayward who marshalled the stall impeccably while some of the FTF group were at times running round like headless chickens trying to do a million things at once! Now we’ve all recovered it’s safe to say we’re already looking forward to the next event.

DECEMBER’S PRIZE:
Now on to the monthly prizes and a reminder that December’s was a chance to win Match Day Dining For Two at a home game this season. We’ve been trying to work out when to make the draw, but this has proved difficult with the cancelled fixtures and the issues with Marske resigning from the league. However, this will definitely now take place at the Stalybridge Celtic friendly game on January 20th. Anybody who had signed up to the FTF scheme before 31/12/23 will be entered into the draw…best of luck!

JANUARY’S PRIZE:
And finally, onto January’s prize where we’re starting the new year with a bang by offering a 2023/24 Ten Match Ticket Book to one lucky supporter. I’m sure it doesn’t need explaining but just incase, it’s essentially FREE match tickets to up to 10 home league games. This can be 10 individual games or 5 games each for you and a mate. Your choice…but you’ve got to be signed up by the end of January (31/01/24) to stand a chance of winning…again best of luck!

Right then, that’s all…thanks again and happy new year!
FTF Group