A determined team of young footballers from Steeton AFC Under 12’s are raising money for Airedale Hospital & Community Charity’s newest Emergency Department Appeal, by walking a 17-mile hike alongside their coaches and parents.
The circular walk, which will start at the team’s home ground, will call in at the hospital, continue through Keighley into Ilkley, and then return back to the start point via Addingham and Silsden.
The players were inspired to fundraise for the appeal due to their close proximity to the hospital and wanted to do something together to benefit their local community.
The Under 12’s already proudly display the charity logo on their football kits, and in previous years have undertaken fundraising activities to raise money for various AHCC appeals.
Tony Bates, head coach of the Steeton AFC Under 12 team, said:
“In celebration of us recently winning the Craven, Airedale & Wharfedale U12 league title, we wanted to challenge ourselves to do something different to our usual sport of football and bond outside of a pitch environment. This is a great cause to get involved with.
“I am proud of the team’s dedication to the fundraising efforts and hope that people will be kind enough to sponsor the team to help spur us on when the hike gets tough.”
Jodie Hearnshaw, head of charity at AHCC, said:
“We are very pleased to be working with the Steeton AFC Juniors for another year. The team are always very eager to get stuck into the challenges they set themselves.
“The hike will be a great team-building experience and a celebration of their recent achievements. We can’t wait to see what time it takes them to complete the walk and how much they can raise for the Airedale Emergency Department Appeal in the process.”
Donations to the fundraiser can be made via https://www.justgiving.com/page/steetonjuniors.
Photographed: Steeton AFC U12 team who are taking part in the sponsored charity hike.
