Charity scores fund success

A SPORTING challenge gave a £1,000 kick-start to a charity’s latest community fund.

Amateur rugby players from across the district lined up for the chance to be the first to lift the One Community Ponderosa Golden Goal Cup, raising cash for a charitable fund as they did.

Ten players took on the challenge of kicking goals from various points along the 30-metre line in front of crowds eagerly awaiting the Batley Bulldogs and Dewsbury Rams derby on Good Friday.

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And during a half-time final, Shaw Cross Sharks player Alex Whittaker beat Dewsbury Celtic’s Niki Crabtree to the prize.

One Community trustee Chris Battye said: “It certainly wasn’t perfect weather but some of the kicking was extremely good.

“I think quite a few of the clubs taking part had brought supporters along. As we got into the competition and more of the crowd came in, they really started to get behind it.

“When it came to the kick-off at half-time the crowds were really getting behind the lads.”

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The competition, sponsored by Ponderosa Rural Therapeutic Centre in Heckmondwike, was organised by Bulldogs community coach Dan Winner and Rams counterpart James Stephenson.

Money raised through event sponsorship and collections on the day will help charitable foundation One Community to build a fund for voluntary groups in the Dewsbury and Batley area.

Mr Battye said: “We really want to benefit this area.

“When we announced that we would be repeating this event not just in August but again next year, there was a huge round of applause. It was fantastic.”

Founded in May 2010, One Community gave out its first grants to 21 voluntary groups in Kirklees last year. It has seven funds, including a general fund and environmental fund.

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The new fund for the Dewsbury and Batley area is expected to open for applications soon.

A fun day in aid of One Community will be held at the Mount Pleasant stadium on August 4 and a second golden goal competition will be held at the next derby game on August 12.

To sponsor the competition, phone Paul Johnson at the charity on 01484 468397.