Hassocks Junior Football Club supports The Street to School project

Hassocks Junior Football Club - provides footballing activities to over 300 youth players from Hassocks and the surrounding communities - recently donated all their previous football kit to children and young people in Ghana, Africa. The Street to School project where football plays a big part for children in helping them access education and healthcare is called Akwaaba Volunteers. Gordon Macleod and his family, who live in Hassocks, personally delivered the kit on behalf of the club.

Akwaaba Volunteers have been operating in Ghana since 2016, working with over 1000 young people and families in the local community. Jordan Palmer, cofounded the project, said, “Our main aim is to Brighten the future of the next generation, alleviate poverty and create better opportunities in life for underprivileged children and disadvantaged communities in Accra.” The project gives children and young people who want to play sport access to education, health care or good nutrition.

One of the Hassocks Juniors U14 football coaches took five large bags of kit out to the project in Ghana, thanks to the BA Community Branch who provided free excess baggage. Gordon also offered some training and support to the under 13s team and coaches while they were out there. This was a great opportunity for junior footballers in Accra to learn from a junior football coach from the UK, but also for the coach to learn from them. Coach Gordon said: “I was inspired by the skills, quality of play and dedication of these young footballers, who appreciate every opportunity they get to play football.”

He also found it moving to see how much the young people appreciated being given a kit and wanted to acknowledge the important work done by the project and co-founders King Boateng and Jordan Palmer who give children in poverty opportunities to learn and thrive through playing football. He comments: “It was also great for coaches and players back in Hassocks to see their kit go directly to the children who need it most. The kit was so popular that even children who don’t currently play football wanted to join in so that they could also have their own Hassocks football kit!”

Hassocks Junior Football Club Chairman, Stuart Doyle says: “Everyone at Hassocks Juniors is very proud of the work that we do as a club and it’s great to see disadvantaged children like those attending the Akwaaba Volunteers project benefitting from football.” He adds: “We would like to thank coaches, parents and players for their kind donations of kits and boots.” To find out more about Akwaaba Volunteers and the street to school football project, see: www.akwaabavolunteers.org.uk – If you would like to support a child through sport and education (£12 a month) you can contact the project founders via the website.

Hassocks community supports Kangaroos childrens' charity

By Sue Anson

On the 2nd of July, we had our Jubilee Street party for the Hassocks community, which took place in Friars Oak Road outside of St Francis Church. The garden was a children’s zone with a bouncy castle, craft, and garden games. The church was transformed into a lovely cream tea venue. The main hall was a dedicated area for babies and toddlers. We set up tables in the closed off street, covered in union jack tablecloths and adorned the street with bunting. We had water pistols, hula hoops and skipping ropes for the children as well as some wacky races organised. The raffle, with its great prizes, drew a big crowd. Music was provided by the church band and the local ladies’ choir. There was a fancy-dress competition. We had a BBQ that ran all afternoon, salads, cakes, and puddings galore for people to feast on. Over 400 people attended in the glorious weather.

We didn’t charge but asked people to donate. Because of everyone’s generosity and, after our minimal costs were covered, with so much of what we provided being donated, we managed to raise £1,560 for charity. This is a phenomenal amount and an amazing bonus for a great day. We have chosen Kangaroos this time as our recipient, a local children’s charity who work with disabled young people. We have presented them with a cheque for £780. The other £780 will go towards our parish’s community work such as the food bank, youth work, our Cameo and Hug in a Mug groups. We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who came and contributed in any way. We can’t wait for the next event!

South Downs Refugee Project launches in Hassocks

The South Downs Refugee Project held a launch meeting in Hassocks last month. The group are working to welcome a refugee family to the area and help them settle into the local community. Lots of people attended to support and learn about the project, and more chairs had to be set out!

Ahmed Yabroudi, a member of the Sussex Syrian Association, recounted his experiences as a refugee. He recalled: “When my house was destroyed, I lost my father, my two sisters and 17 of my cousins, all on that day. I took my five children and wife in my car, and we ran. I never ever thought I would leave my country.” Ahmed, who lives in Brighton, is proud that two of his children have since graduated from Brighton University, one as a computer engineer and the other as a software engineer. “We want to give something back to the British community,” he explained.

Stephen Louis, member of a refugee project group in Wendover, talked about his community’s experience of sponsoring a family. He said: “it’s been a real privilege to welcome a family who fled from Damascus when the war started. They had been living in a refugee camp: a husband, wife and two small girls. Our group has really enjoyed working together on the project.” He added: “Going to the airport to welcome the family with a male and female interpreter was an incredible experience.” Once they’ve arrived, the family need continued support. “Learning English is important,” says Stephen. “The children learn quickly at school, but we raised money to help the mother and father learn English.”

The South Downs Refugee Project group is delighted with positive local reaction to the project. Tom Bailey said: “When I first saw an article about the sponsorship scheme, I thought, Hassocks, this village could do this, and we will all benefit. It’s an enriching process all round and I would welcome you to become involved.” The group is looking to develop their volunteer network as the project develops. “A massive pool of people has supported our fundraising this year, through events and Justgiving,” says Tom.

So far, the group have raised £8,850 towards a £15,000 target, and they are planning a village ceilidh on 26th November to help raise more funds. “The property search is going to be a challenge for us,” said Tom. “We are hoping to find a philanthropically minded landlord who wants to directly support the project, and the family, in this way. In return, they will have guaranteed rental income for two years (minimum) and know that their tenants will have a committed group of supporters to help them throughout the tenancy. “Thank you to Hassocks Life magazine, who have been very supportive from the off,” says Tom, “and who have helped the wider community to hear about the scheme.” For more information, see https://southdownsrefugeeproject.org