The New Cheltenham Town Community Shirt: Promoting Child Poverty Awareness
Cheltenham Town Football Club has recently unveiled its much-anticipated 2023-24 community third kit, designed in collaboration with their young supporters. This initiative not only showcases the club's commitment to engaging with its fanbase but also aims to raise awareness about child poverty. The new shirt, created by six-year-old Ruby Barnes from Warden Hill Primary School, features a striking black and pink design. Let's delve deeper into the story behind this unique project and the impact it will have on the community.
The Design Contest: Giving Young Fans a Voice
In an effort to involve their young supporters, Cheltenham Town launched a design contest for fans aged 14 and under. The club encouraged participants to let their creativity run wild, providing them with an opportunity to design the team's new third kit. The primary objective of this initiative was to promote the important work of the Child Poverty Action Group, an organization dedicated to tackling child poverty in the UK. With over 900,000 children missing out on free school meals in England alone, the club aimed to shed light on this pressing issue through the power of football.
Ruby Barnes: The Winning Designer
After receiving numerous entries from almost 60 schools, Cheltenham Town's newly appointed manager, Darrell Clarke, faced the challenging task of selecting a winner. Ultimately, six-year-old Ruby Barnes emerged victorious with her eye-catching black and pink design. Ruby's creation captivated the judges and perfectly embodied the club's vision for the community kit. As a token of appreciation, Ruby's name has been added to the inside of the shirt's neckline, ensuring her place in Cheltenham Town's history.
Presentation and Match Day
Cheltenham Town is planning a grand presentation ceremony for Ruby Barnes during the upcoming 'Kids for a Quid' game against Cambridge United. Ruby, accompanied by her schoolmates, will be honored at half-time and awarded a stash of gear from the club's technical partners, Errea, for her school's PE department. The real moment of pride for Ruby will come on Boxing Day, as she leads the players onto the pitch wearing the unique kit in the match against Shrewsbury Town. To commemorate this special occasion, a limited run of the community shirt will be available for purchase at the club shop, with the proceeds going towards the Child Poverty Action Group.
Inclusive Matchday ExperienceRecognizing the overwhelming response to the competition, Cheltenham Town has extended an invitation to every single participant to attend the match against Leyton Orient on Saturday, December 16. The club aims to create an inclusive environment by offering free tickets to all the young fans who took part in designing the kit. This gesture not only allows the children to witness the impact of their collective efforts but also fosters a sense of belonging within the Cheltenham Town community.
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The Impact: Raising Awareness for Child Poverty
By partnering with the Child Poverty Action Group, Cheltenham Town Football Club aims to raise awareness and funds to support their vital work. With over one in four children growing up in poverty in the UK, the club recognizes the urgent need for action. The collaboration with Mira Showers, the club's official charity partner, demonstrates their commitment to making a difference in the lives of these vulnerable children. The Child Poverty Action Group expressed their gratitude to both Mira Showers and Cheltenham Town for utilizing their platform to advocate for change.
"Child Poverty Action Group works on behalf of more than one in four children growing up in poverty in our country. The charity is extremely grateful to Mira Showers and Cheltenham Town Football Club for raising awareness and much-needed funds to support our work through this shirt competition." - Child Poverty Action Group spokesperson.
"Child Poverty Action Group works on behalf of more than one in four children growing up in poverty in our country. The charity is extremely grateful to Mira Showers and Cheltenham Town Football Club for raising awareness and much-needed funds to support our work through this shirt competition." - Child Poverty Action Group spokesperson.
Looking Ahead: A Bright Future
Cheltenham Town Football Club's community third kit initiative goes beyond creating a unique shirt. It represents the club's commitment to social responsibility and using football as a means to drive positive change. The success of this project serves as a reminder of the club's core values and the incredible support they receive from their staff, partners, and young supporters. The permanent display of all the brilliant entries at the ground further emphasizes the lasting impact of this initiative and the continual fight against child poverty.
About Child Poverty Action Group
Child Poverty Action Group is an organization dedicated to improving the lives of the more than one in four children growing up in poverty in the UK. Their vision is to create a society free from child poverty, where every child can enjoy a childhood free from financial hardship and have equal opportunities in life. They advocate for policies that address the root causes of poverty and provide training, advice, and information to ensure that struggling families receive the necessary financial support. Their work aims to empower children and give them a fair chance to reach their full potential.
"Poverty affects every aspect of a child's life, from their living conditions to their educational opportunities. Child Poverty Action Group is committed to ending child poverty by advocating for policies that provide equal opportunities for all children." - Child Poverty Action Group.
"Poverty affects every aspect of a child's life, from their living conditions to their educational opportunities. Child Poverty Action Group is committed to ending child poverty by advocating for policies that provide equal opportunities for all children." - Child Poverty Action Group.
Conclusion
Cheltenham Town Football Club's collaboration with the Child Poverty Action Group through the design contest for their new community third kit showcases the power of football to bring about positive change. The creativity and passion of young fans like Ruby Barnes highlight the impact that even the youngest members of society can make. By raising awareness about child poverty and supporting the Child Poverty Action Group, Cheltenham Town is taking an important step towards creating a society where every child has the opportunity to thrive.