Charity football success

Festival organisers from the up-coming Rock Diabetes festival, teamed up with Westbury company Welton, Bibby & Baron Ltd to host a charity football match at Leighton Sports Club.

The idea to raise money for the charity was Natalie Guildford’s after fellow workers from the company – Shane Taylor, Ryan James, Andrew Simmons, Matthew Garbula and Mike Ward – came up with the original idea, of the company’s two local branches in Westbury and Radstock, having a friendly 5-a-side match. They were surprised by the number of people wanting to play and it soon became clear it had to be a full on 11-a-side match.

The two branches lined up as Wiltshire and Somerset, to reflect the locations of the two branches.

The first half was evenly matched, with both sides having an equal share of the play, but Wiltshire took a 2-0 half-time lead. In the second half however, Somerset proved too much for the Wiltshire side to handle and put six goals past them, looking the less tired of the two teams. With fantastic support from friends, family and co-workers, the two sides came off the pitch at the final whistle to loud cheers, mini trophies and champagne!

Before, during and after the game, collection buckets raised £225. Afterwards at the post-match drinks a member of the company’s Union promised that they would double whatever was collected, so the final total was £450. Natalie said, This was an amazing effort and thanks to  everyone for their generosity, and a cracking day!

The festival organisers said, “This is another great example of some of the fundraising the charity festival has been doing during the year, all going towards the grand total that will be announced after the festival itself on Saturday October 11th at Trowbridge Civic Centre.”

One of the organisers, Karen said, “It’s great to be involved with such a worthy cause that not only raises money for children with type 1 diabetes, but also supports local live music.”

For more information on the festival and to get tickets please log onto www.rockdiabetes.co.uk or join the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rockdiabetes.co.uk.