Charlie Methven donates £1,000 to junior football team raising money for foodbank

Players, coaches and parents of the under-9 and under-12 squads at Silksworth CW Juniors had their heads shaved to raise funds for the Community Foodbank in SIlksworth, which helps vulnerable people throughout the community.

The young footballers had originally hoped to raise a few hundred pounds. But with the help of a donation from Charlie Methven, who stepped down from the SAFC board in December 2019, they now have over £3,500.

Mr Methven got in touch on Good Friday and offered £1,000, on condition that the coaches remain bald until the next SAFC game.

The foodbank is operated by the Youth Almighty Group, a charity which gives children and young people somewhere safe to go and something to do, keeping them off the streets.

The youngsters, as well as the adults, are missing their football. But during the coronavirus lockdown they have put their time, as well as their hair, to good use.

One of the “Silky Skinheads” is Mark McGinley, a coach at Silksworth CW. Alongside his sons Ben nine and Joe, 11, he sacrificed his hair for charity.

Mark said: “Charlie Methven has always been good with us. He contacted us when the under-12s won the National Championships. He’s been a great support to the team since arriving on Wearside and is now our honorary chairman.

“Everyone had their heads shaved at home over the Easter weekend. We thought we might raise a few hundred quid just to help out. I was a bit cautious about asking people for donations at this time, but the generosity of people has been amazing.

“It will help a lot of vulnerable people, a lot of them who you wouldn’t have thought would ever be in that category.

“One lad, Rory Nelson from the under-12s raised £500. Jude Moan from the under-9s raised £300. But everyone has done fantastically well.”

Anyone wishing to contribute should visit the Silksworth CW Juniors Facebook page.

Sunderland AFC fans urged to continue foodbank donations to help during COVID-19 outbreak.

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