Pitchero Non League

....will give their own fundraising campaign a shot in the arm.

The RA have launched their own five-figure drive for cash to improve facilities at Brinkburn Road as they aim to build on last season's success when they finished sixth, and they’ll get off to a great start when Darlington 1883 boss Martin Gray brings a team to face them on Tuesday, August 7th.

While the main focus is on the plight of their big neighbours in the town, the RA have set their own target of raising around £10,000 towards the cost of new changing rooms.

New secretary Alan Hamilton, who has taken over from Chris Griffin, said: "We wish Darlington Football Club every success. They're hoping to raise around £300,000 - that sort of money would keep us going for twenty years or more!

"We also have our own fund raising campaign to run. Our changing rooms need updating, and so we're going to apply for grant aid. We could really do with a brick-built facility to accommodate not only our Northern League team, but also the under 18s and women’s teams that use the facility.

"However, as is the norm in these situations, we will need to raise a sum of money ourselves to go towards the cost. The FA are quite willing to help, but we've also got to raise our share.

"We're not a rich club by any stretch of the imagination. In football terms, we're living from hand to mouth. We've got no contract players, and so it was a testament to the team spirit of the players that we finished just outside the promotion places last season.

“If we can make £1,000 or more from the gate that night, then that will be an excellent result for us in terms of fundraising. We are grateful to Darlington for remembering the help we gave them last season in hosting a fundraiser for them.”

The RA came to their neighbours' aid last season by organising bucket collections at Northern League games and other fundraising events when the crisis started, and Quakers’ visit will be well received.

Tags: News | Darlington RA

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