After a season of unprecedented success, the Frome Town Robins have recently decided to ‘pay it forward’ and help fund the education of an underprivileged child in South Africa.
To support this worthy cause, the players decided to sentence their coach, Jamie Malley, to participate in local charity SOS Africa’s 24-Hour Lock-In at Shepton Mallet’s recently closed 400-year-old prison.
To his credit, they report that “inmate Malley” embraced the event, in particular the sewing lessons and choir singing, and with the help of club members and supporters raised an incredible £600, enough to fund the tuition fees of 11 year-old Thato from Mafikeng, South Africa for two years.
The club said, “As a community youth club we were keen to support a local charity, and wanted to find one which had a focus on children. By linking with SOS Africa we can make a real difference to the lives of the children supported by the charity and also promote the activities to the club and through that, encourage links between our young players and the youngsters in Africa.”
“The love of football is a universal language and we are keen to explore ways in which we can use football to work with Matt, the charity founder, and his team to support their efforts to enhance and improve the lives of the children they look after.”
SOS Africa Charity founder and Frome Town FC supporter, Matt Crowcombe, is delighted by the partnership which has been forged by these two local organisations.
He said, “Thanks to the efforts of the Frome Town Robins and their now rehabilitated coach Jamie Malley, we have been able to secure the education of another child in South Africa. SOS Africa’s Thato, himself a talented footballer, will attend a good school and receive all the support he needs to succeed. We look forward to updating the Robins on his progress over the coming months.”
