Duckyls Farm residents attend football fundraising fixture

RESIDENTS from Duckyls Farm, who play in the Sussex Disability Football League were delighted to meet the organisation’s chair Steve Atkins and share motivational messages during his 100-mile walk to raise awareness and vital funds to safeguard the league’s future.

Steve Atkins swapped his football boots for walking boots in a unique challenge to walk 100 miles in three days and visit six of the clubs that play in the Sussex Disability Football League. The football fanatical Duckyls Farm residents who play for Wasps, were thrilled to be able to cheer him on when he stopped off at East Grinstead Town FC ground during his challenge.

Steve successfully walked over 100 miles in just three days taking in the home grounds of several Sussex football clubs on his route. As well as highlighting the League’s pan-disability message of inclusion and equality he also hoped to raise £12,000, the cost of delivering the Sussex Disability Football League’s fixtures each season. 

Karen Tolton, Manager of Duckyls Farm said:

“Steve hoped that his challenge would highlight the league’s pan-disability message of inclusion and equality whilst raising much-needed funds and everyone at Ducklys Farm was cheering him on. Some of our residents play for Wasps in the Sussex Disability Football League and they were really happy to be able to meet Steve at the East Grinstead ground during his challenge. Ducklys Farm supports residents while encouraging them to be as independent as possible and activities like playing football is something our residents really look forward to. It’s an amazing achievement to complete a 100-mile walk in just three days and we truly hope Steve succeeds in raising the £12,000 needed for a season’s fixture costs.” 

Some of the residents from Duckyls Farm, the Diagrama run home for adults with learning disabilities in West Sussex, play for the Wasps Disability Team, which is based in East Grinstead. They train at Jubilee Centre (East Grinstead) every Wednesday afternoon and have matches in Lancing approximately every 6 weeks. They were delighted to meet Steve at the East Grinstead Football Ground during his fundraising challenge.

To find out more about the Sussex Disability Football League, please visit: www.sussexdisabilityfootball.org.uk and to find out more about learning disability support at the Diagrama run Duckyls Farm, please visit: www.diagramafoundation.org.uk/duckyls-farm.