03 Jun London Southend Airport wins fourth Annual Charity Football Match
A TEAM of players from across the many departments of London Southend Airport was the winner of the fourth Annual Charity Football Match in aid of the Essex Foster Carers Association.
The annual event, organised by Jay Putland, a foster carer for Essex Fostering Service, aims to raise money and awareness on behalf of the Essex Foster Carers Association.
The independent charitable trust is run by foster carers supporting all those who provide care for looked after children within Essex.
Debbie Rourke, Team Manager for the South Quadrant Fostering Team, said: “I would like to thank everyone who supported this excellent charitable event, which has also positively raised the profile of fostering.”
The event at Roots Hall, home of Southend United Football Club, took place on Saturday May 28.
The London Southend Airport team was organised by Marc Kyprianou, who is a Crew Manager with the Airport’s Fire Service. His team won the match 2-0 against JMC Athletic FC, thanks to goals in each half from Marc and Nick Thompson.
Although the team representing the airport came away with the trophy in its first year of taking part, the real winner was the Essex Foster Carers Association as over £1,600 was raised for the charity through ticket sales and a raffle.
Firefighter Marc Kyprianou said “We are pleased to have supported the EFCA in this charity football match and help raise as much money as we could for a great charity.
“Although the match result went in our favour, ultimately the charity was the real winner on the day.”
Local junior football teams, Trinity Whites and Benfleet Villa U12s, who attended as ball boys for the main match also had the opportunity of a short game at half-time. Benfleet won this match 2-1.
Sue Mitchell, Chair of the EFCA said: “Essex Foster Carers Association is once again hugely grateful to Jay and his friends for all their efforts to raise money for the benefit of the hundreds of foster children in Essex.
“There will be a lot of foster children with big smiles this summer as the money will go towards fun days out for them, all over Essex. A big thank you from them, and Essex Foster Carers Association.”
