Sunderland Sunday League teams smash target to raise cash to help the NHS

Fifty four teams across Sunderland and Washington play in the weekly league, which has had to suspend games this season in line with restrictions in place to limit the spread of COVID-19.

It’s a big miss for the hundreds of players who look forward to the games, but two players from Thorney Close Inn FC, Michael Pattison and Lewis Greaves, came up with a way of keeping the football community spirit going while helping others.

They contacted the league asking if they could do something in the way of fundraising for a donation to the NHS.

The league thought it was a great idea and set up a Just Giving Page and contacted the clubs in all divisions, officials, referees and players to let them know what we were doing and provided the link to donate.

It’s proved so popular that it’s on its way to raising £4,000, four times its target of £1,000, including a contribution of £450 from Myers FC.

General secretary Colin Stores said: “The response has been truly outstanding and it’s overwhelming how the local football community came together to show their support.

“It was a great gesture by the players who suggested the fundraiser and is a fantastic way of helping the NHS. We are so proud of our NHS and the hard work they are doing at present and as a league we wanted to give something back.”

It comes as the Echo is running its #actsofkindness campaign to highlight the amazing things people are doing to help others in their community.

Colin added: “What’s more remarkable is that many of the players will be on the dole or have been furloughed because of the pandemic, but have still wanted to do their bit to help.”

If you or someone you know has done something amazing to help your community we’d love to share your acts of kindness. Please get in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram or email the newsdesk on [email protected].

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