Footballers shoot for Seattle goal (From Dorset Echo)

Footballers shoot for Seattle goal

3:30pm Friday 18th January 2013 in News

YOUNG footballers are stepping up a gear in their goal to reach America for a tour in 2016.

The Bridport Youth Under 13 team need to raise about £38,000 to travel to play counterparts in Seattle.

Now they have paid tribute to supporters who have helped them raise £18,000 so far but are also aiming to keep on with the fundraising in 2013 after having a rest over Christmas.

Their Bridport 2 Seattle 2016 efforts have even reached India with some of their specialty created T-shirts donated to youths to show their support as a favour from a British Airways pilot.

Mark Scadding, from Bridport Youth, said: “The Bridport 2 Seattle lads and I would like to thank all residents and visitors to the town that continue to give us and the fund such good support and positive feedback.”

Last year the team manned several fundraising stalls in the town centre as well as the Melplash show and several car boot sales on an early Sunday morning at West Bay and also at the Bridport late night Christmas shopping night.

Mark said: “Support from the Bridport carnival was also gratefully received as was the enjoyment the lads got from taking part in the procession and the torchlight event.”

He added: “The fund would like to give special thanks to Bridport Plumbing Supplies, Travis Perkins, Dave Hawkins at Bridport Tyres, Michael Scadding Plumbing, Shaun Craven Plasters, Bridport Town Council, the Bridport carnival committee and the Melplash and Dorchester Show organisers as well as local shops Morrison's and the Co-op.”

The team’s thanks also went to Balsons butchers Ron and Sandra Craddock at Good News, local businesses who have Seattle buckets on their counters, Mike Gray and Steve Turner and many others who have raised money.

Bridport 2 Seattle 2016 held its first Christmas draw last year and will carry on for the coming years.

Future ideas include a Seattle summer ball, a comer challenge and parents doing skydives.

Mark said the players enjoy people stopping them to ask how fundraising is going.

They are also still continuing to collect aluminium drinks cans to recycle for cash.

Mark said: “We will push on with over the summer and on into the next couple years and we hope to still receive the good support we have received as well as the positive verbal support we get.”

He added: “The team knows this is a chance in a lifetime for the lads and we aim to take this chance and with your continued support it will happen this fund is here to stay.”