Chorley FC Community Foundation is awarded charitable status

Chorley FC’s Community Foundation team has been officially awarded charitable status, allowing it to expand on its goals and achievements.
Jonothan Gains (Chorley FC), David Murgatroyd (Trustee), Darren Jenkinson (Chair of Foundation), Simon Denham (Trustee and Chorley FC Director).Jonothan Gains (Chorley FC), David Murgatroyd (Trustee), Darren Jenkinson (Chair of Foundation), Simon Denham (Trustee and Chorley FC Director).
Jonothan Gains (Chorley FC), David Murgatroyd (Trustee), Darren Jenkinson (Chair of Foundation), Simon Denham (Trustee and Chorley FC Director).

Chorley FC chairman Darren Jenkinson said: “Gaining charitable status is an important step forward for the Community Foundation.

“It recognises that the work we are undertaking is for the benefit of the Chorley community, and allows us to develop a wider range of opportunities for everyone. The foundation works with people of all ages, from our in-school activities through to Walking Football teams. We host a Sporting Memories group which is primarily attended by older people, some experiencing dementia who without this group wouldn’t necessarily get out of the house. Being granted charitable status allows us to be more ambitious with our plans to develop projects which benefit people across the borough, and provide opportunities to those who would otherwise be excluded.”

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The football club’s foundation also supports a range of other groups and charities, as well as forming joint ventures with other public sector organisations. One of its main aims is to use the club’s facilities as a venue to get more members of the community involved in fitness and activities, especially those with disabilities and those facing financial hardship. who may face difficulties accessing traditional sporting activities.

Youngsters attending a soccer schoolYoungsters attending a soccer school
Youngsters attending a soccer school

Chorley FC chairman Ken Wright added: “Chorley FC proudly sits at the heart of the Chorley community, and we believe sports and health-related activities should be available to everyone. The Community Foundation was created to make a difference to individuals and bring positive change to the community. Gaining charitable status allows us to build on the good work already undertaken and explore new and exciting ideas for the future.”

Chorley FC Community Foundation flagship projects include:

Walking Football – which is supported by Chorley Borough Council and local fitness business, Active Nation. The project aims to involve people in the Chorley area who are reluctant to engage with sport and exercise, due to their perceived lack of ability or fitness. By creating low impact but fun football sessions, the Foundation has helped to build the confidence of participants, and improve their health. Walking Football has been such a success, that people from outside the Chorley borough have begun to sign up too.

Sporting Memories – which is run in association with the Sporting Memories Foundation. This is aimed at people with dementia causing conditions – such as Alzheimer’s Disease – but also tackles isolation and loneliness amongst all residents of Chorley. The project provides safe, comfortable gatherings to enable participants to share memories of sporting moments and their passion for sport, to build connections and engage in nostalgia-based therapy.