Kindhearted Darwen group goes to Gambia on charity mission

9:00pm Monday 28th January 2013 in News

Darwen Spartans coaches pictured before their trip Darwen Spartans coaches pictured before their trip

A GROUP from Darwen has arrived in Gambia on a charity mission.

Bosses and coaches at Darwen Spartans youth football team and Darwen councillor Stephanie Brookfield flew out to the poverty-stricken west African country as part of Football Gambia.

They left Manchester Airport on Saturday, beating the snow.

And just 10 minutes after arriving at the village of Sitanunku, 19-year-old coaches Lewis Atkinson and Damien Mulden, club boss Mark Atkinson, under-14s manager David Buck and under-12s manager Neil Lofthouse, as well as Coun Brookfield, took part in a football match against a team from the village.

Lewis, who began training to be a coach at the club after playing for the youth teams, said he had been looking forward to the trip.

Before leaving he said: “I can’t wait to get out there.

“We went last year. It is such a fantastic place.”

The group, which comes back on February 2, will spend its time in Gambia renovating a medical centre and a school.

They will also visit schools and give out football kits and other items the deprived children don’t have.

Coun Brookfield said: “I can’t wait to get out of the snow and into the sunshine. It is 30C in full sun all day long which will make a nice change.

“I am really looking forward to being there and making a difference.”

Football Gambia director and founder Ian Stapleton said: “The Darwen guys have been great.

“They have supported the charity so well and their efforts will contribute towards the renovation of a medical centre and the building of a nursery school in Gambia.”

Comments (9)

9:18pm Mon 28 Jan 13

2 for 5p says...

QUOTE:

Before leaving he said: “I can’t wait to get out there.

“We went last year. It is such a fantastic place.”

That's how I feel every year just before I go on holiday. :-)

So then who paid for theses tickets food and accommodation, whoever footed the bill would of been better off giving the money to the community of the village to spend how they see best, instead of a bunch of freeloaders getting a free holiday.
QUOTE: Before leaving he said: “I can’t wait to get out there. “We went last year. It is such a fantastic place.” That's how I feel every year just before I go on holiday. :-) So then who paid for theses tickets food and accommodation, whoever footed the bill would of been better off giving the money to the community of the village to spend how they see best, instead of a bunch of freeloaders getting a free holiday. 2 for 5p

9:36pm Mon 28 Jan 13

danclough says...

2 for 5p wrote:
QUOTE:

Before leaving he said: “I can’t wait to get out there.

“We went last year. It is such a fantastic place.”

That's how I feel every year just before I go on holiday. :-)

So then who paid for theses tickets food and accommodation, whoever footed the bill would of been better off giving the money to the community of the village to spend how they see best, instead of a bunch of freeloaders getting a free holiday.
I can tell you they all paid for themselves via fundraising and out of their own pockets
[quote][p][bold]2 for 5p[/bold] wrote: QUOTE: Before leaving he said: “I can’t wait to get out there. “We went last year. It is such a fantastic place.” That's how I feel every year just before I go on holiday. :-) So then who paid for theses tickets food and accommodation, whoever footed the bill would of been better off giving the money to the community of the village to spend how they see best, instead of a bunch of freeloaders getting a free holiday.[/p][/quote]I can tell you they all paid for themselves via fundraising and out of their own pockets danclough

9:48pm Mon 28 Jan 13

2 for 5p says...

danclough wrote:
2 for 5p wrote:
QUOTE:

Before leaving he said: “I can’t wait to get out there.

“We went last year. It is such a fantastic place.”

That's how I feel every year just before I go on holiday. :-)

So then who paid for theses tickets food and accommodation, whoever footed the bill would of been better off giving the money to the community of the village to spend how they see best, instead of a bunch of freeloaders getting a free holiday.
I can tell you they all paid for themselves via fundraising and out of their own pockets
you've said it from fund raising, in other words peoples charitable donations have payed for a holiday. The money would of been better given to the villagers.
Instead what do they get a few old football tops and there medical centre done up. ?,
[quote][p][bold]danclough[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]2 for 5p[/bold] wrote: QUOTE: Before leaving he said: “I can’t wait to get out there. “We went last year. It is such a fantastic place.” That's how I feel every year just before I go on holiday. :-) So then who paid for theses tickets food and accommodation, whoever footed the bill would of been better off giving the money to the community of the village to spend how they see best, instead of a bunch of freeloaders getting a free holiday.[/p][/quote]I can tell you they all paid for themselves via fundraising and out of their own pockets[/p][/quote]you've said it from fund raising, in other words peoples charitable donations have payed for a holiday. The money would of been better given to the villagers. Instead what do they get a few old football tops and there medical centre done up. ?, 2 for 5p

12:15am Tue 29 Jan 13

english rose 1 says...

I gave some money to this very worthwhile charity. The VOLUNTEERS are doing the medical centre up plus the school plus donating various items (as stated in the artcle). The villagers probably cannot afford to buy in the expertise to do the places up.
*
It also gives youngsters the chance to see a 3rd world country, the poverty and to help out to make a difference to peoples lives. An experience they will remember for the rest of their lives making them realise how lucky they are in GB. And to grow up as responsible adults.
*
Wekll done to all concerned.
I gave some money to this very worthwhile charity. The VOLUNTEERS are doing the medical centre up plus the school plus donating various items (as stated in the artcle). The villagers probably cannot afford to buy in the expertise to do the places up. * It also gives youngsters the chance to see a 3rd world country, the poverty and to help out to make a difference to peoples lives. An experience they will remember for the rest of their lives making them realise how lucky they are in GB. And to grow up as responsible adults. * Wekll done to all concerned. english rose 1

9:58am Tue 29 Jan 13

hasslem hasslem says...

danclough wrote:
2 for 5p wrote:
QUOTE:

Before leaving he said: “I can’t wait to get out there.

“We went last year. It is such a fantastic place.”

That's how I feel every year just before I go on holiday. :-)

So then who paid for theses tickets food and accommodation, whoever footed the bill would of been better off giving the money to the community of the village to spend how they see best, instead of a bunch of freeloaders getting a free holiday.
I can tell you they all paid for themselves via fundraising and out of their own pockets
and money donated from darwen town council
[quote][p][bold]danclough[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]2 for 5p[/bold] wrote: QUOTE: Before leaving he said: “I can’t wait to get out there. “We went last year. It is such a fantastic place.” That's how I feel every year just before I go on holiday. :-) So then who paid for theses tickets food and accommodation, whoever footed the bill would of been better off giving the money to the community of the village to spend how they see best, instead of a bunch of freeloaders getting a free holiday.[/p][/quote]I can tell you they all paid for themselves via fundraising and out of their own pockets[/p][/quote]and money donated from darwen town council hasslem hasslem

1:28pm Tue 29 Jan 13

2 for 5p says...

hasslem hasslem wrote:
danclough wrote:
2 for 5p wrote:
QUOTE:

Before leaving he said: “I can’t wait to get out there.

“We went last year. It is such a fantastic place.”

That's how I feel every year just before I go on holiday. :-)

So then who paid for theses tickets food and accommodation, whoever footed the bill would of been better off giving the money to the community of the village to spend how they see best, instead of a bunch of freeloaders getting a free holiday.
I can tell you they all paid for themselves via fundraising and out of their own pockets
and money donated from darwen town council
oh the long and trusted council tax payer
[quote][p][bold]hasslem hasslem[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]danclough[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]2 for 5p[/bold] wrote: QUOTE: Before leaving he said: “I can’t wait to get out there. “We went last year. It is such a fantastic place.” That's how I feel every year just before I go on holiday. :-) So then who paid for theses tickets food and accommodation, whoever footed the bill would of been better off giving the money to the community of the village to spend how they see best, instead of a bunch of freeloaders getting a free holiday.[/p][/quote]I can tell you they all paid for themselves via fundraising and out of their own pockets[/p][/quote]and money donated from darwen town council[/p][/quote]oh the long and trusted council tax payer 2 for 5p

2:37pm Tue 29 Jan 13

english rose 1 says...

Congratulations to Darwen Town Council for donating (a relatively small amount) to allow Darweners to take part in such a worthwhile project.
Congratulations to Darwen Town Council for donating (a relatively small amount) to allow Darweners to take part in such a worthwhile project. english rose 1

7:10pm Tue 29 Jan 13

julespent says...

Can the negative comments please stop. If you cant say anything positive or nice dont say anything at all please.
Can the negative comments please stop. If you cant say anything positive or nice dont say anything at all please. julespent

5:07am Wed 6 Feb 13

lofty1067 says...

i was one of the 'freeloaders' who went out to Gambia. I took a week of my own time ie a weeks holiday time from work. the time spent in the villages is far from any kind of holiday i have ever had, if you consider spendind 6 to 7 hours a day digging a footing trench for a school with nothing more than a good old pick and shovel then 2hours in full sunshine teaching 15 to 17 year olds the finer points of football skills as a holiday, then maybe you should put your money where your mouth is and join us next year, the value of changing a childs life by simply giving them an empty water bottle that they can use is mind blowing and unappreciable until you have been there and done it.
i was one of the 'freeloaders' who went out to Gambia. I took a week of my own time ie a weeks holiday time from work. the time spent in the villages is far from any kind of holiday i have ever had, if you consider spendind 6 to 7 hours a day digging a footing trench for a school with nothing more than a good old pick and shovel then 2hours in full sunshine teaching 15 to 17 year olds the finer points of football skills as a holiday, then maybe you should put your money where your mouth is and join us next year, the value of changing a childs life by simply giving them an empty water bottle that they can use is mind blowing and unappreciable until you have been there and done it. lofty1067

Comments are closed on this article.

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree