Havant & South Downs College is raising money to buy a new strip for its LLDD (Learners with Learning Difficulties and Disabilities) football team as part of the Cash for Kids Sports Challenge.
HSDC has been chosen by Wave 105 as one of the 10 organisations to take part in the challenge – and they will match every penny raised up until £1,500.
Sports Maker Kirsty Harley has spoken about the importance of sport at HSDC and where the money raised will go.
She said: “At Havant & South Downs College we feel it is vitally important to engage and include all students to be a little more active and show their potential in the sporting world no matter of their ability or background.
“HSDC prides itself on the number of sports teams that students have access to. More recently we have been able to offer those students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities a chance to be part of a team.
“Through the power of football, we have brought together a number of students who would not have normally engaged with each other or who would not play sport.”
LLDD football has proven to be an outstanding success at HSDC, with last year’s team representing the South East in AOC’s Sport National Championship. And Kirsty wants to give the LLDD team members something to feel proud of with a new football kit for future tournaments.
She continued: “For anyone who has worked or knows any individuals with additional needs it can be challenging.
“We have been fortunate enough to be able to take the team to other local colleges to play football, and in the last two years we have been able to offer the team the opportunity to play in local, regional and national tournaments.
“This has been key to the development of their abilities both on and off the pitch.
“We are hoping to be able to raise money to buy a new football kit as the one the team currently uses is an old team kit which is about four sizes too big. We would use any remaining cash to help fund the journey to the College nationals if we get there.”