On Saturday we will be showcasing the important work of our Foundation – and it’s certainly good timing after we won the coveted EFL Community Club of the Year!
Our Foundation team (pictured with first-team coaching staff above) and Dons Local Action Group volunteers posed for pics with the award this week, but there wasn’t much chance to dwell on the success with AFC Wimbledon Foundation Day coming up.
The main focus of this will be the Womble Walk, a 10/20 km fundraising event led by our very own Haydon the Womble. Depending upon the distance, it starts at either 8.00 am or 9.30 am.
It will raise valuable funds to support key Foundation initiatives in our community, allowing people of all ages to grow and thrive. For example, your fundraising will go towards providing free holiday and hot meals for school children, plus sports, social and health activities for older people and disabled youngsters or refugees.
Participants in the Womble Walk will start from Wimbledon Common, complete a 5k lap of the Common and after walking through our beautiful Merton parks will arrive at the Plough Lane finishing line at approximately 11.30 / 12pm in time for kick-off. There is still time to enter as an individual or as a team by visiting this website .
If you can’t make the event, you can make a donation by accessing this page.
Our Foundation Director Phil Rudling said: “It’s been an important week for the Foundation with national recognition of the fantastic work that is being achieved in our local communities by our staff and Dons Local Action Group volunteers.
“Our usual focus on Foundation Day is to invite as many of participants as possible to the game, but we decided for this year to run a major fundraising initiative, starting from the spiritual home of the club on Wimbledon Common. It’s a great opportunity to walk with friends, meet fellow walkers, and contribute to the vital work of the Foundation over the next 12 months.”
Our Foundation’s notable achievements include the following:
- Working with 2,000 young people per week on our schools and youth sessions
- Hosting activities, including Walking Football, for 100 older adults every week
- 400 young people attending Easter Holiday Activity programmes
- 250 children per week attending football courses at Wimbledon Park
Pics: Ian Stephen