Durham University’s Collingwood College tackling sexual violence with a 24hr charity football match
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CCAFC, UK’s largest amateur football club, is raising funds for Darlington and Co. Durham’s Rape & Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre
Darlington and Co. Durham’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre (RSACC) and Durham University’s Collingwood College Association Football Club (CCAFC) are once again teaming up to help give sexual violence the red card by holding a sponsored 24hr charity football match with all proceeds going directly to the charity. The tournament will kick off at 12pm on Thursday 9th of June and finish at 12pm on Friday 10th.
This is the second year that CCAFC has supported RSACC, continuing to have the charity’s logo on their football shirts to raise awareness of their vital work. Last year the Club raised over £10k with a range of fundraising endeavours and already this year it has raised over £3k (with match funding from the Big Give) through its Charity Ball. The COVID pandemic significantly impacted the CCAFC’s fundraising activity for the charity and the club is hoping to top last year’s efforts.
Christy Mageean, member of CCAFC’s executive, commented:
“We are really pleased to be able to support RSACC again this year. It’s important that everyone takes responsibility in tackling sexual violence and as students we are no exception. As a club we are doing this by raising awareness amongst our student population and by being good bystanders – challenging toxic behaviour – and by raising funds for RSACC.
RSACC is a small, specialist charity offering a unique range of support for sexual violence survivors from 13 years old to over 80, across Co. Durham. But they have an ever increasing waiting list for their one to one counselling, with some survivors waiting over 9 months before they receive the support and care they very much need. Therefore, as well as raising awareness, it’s vital that we raise as much money as we can to help survivors get support for their trauma and to hopefully lead healthier lives.”
RSACC offers a number of specialist and expert services to survivors. This includes a confidential Emotional Support Line; Counselling; an Independent Sexual Violence Advisory service to support survivors through the criminal justice system, and a Peer Support Group as well as offering training to professionals.
Maxine Tennet, Interim CEO, RSACC commented:
“We are delighted by the support from CCAFC. The money they raise has helped to directly fund many of the aspects of our service that don’t receive funding from anywhere else – such as our Emotional Support Line. This service is a lifeline for many survivors.”
“England and Wales is recording the highest ever number of rapes and sexual offences and demand for support is at an all time high. Having these students raising awareness of sexual violence and fundraise for us is incredibly important to the survivors who are the recipients of their generosity.”
The match kicks off on June 9th at 12pm and will run until midday the next day. It will take place at Collingwood College’s Multi-use Games Area (MUGA): Collingwood College, South Road, DH1 3LE.
Christy concluded:
“This is such a worthwhile cause, and we’ve been really pleased with the support we’ve received so far. We have a JustGiving page for fundraising, but would also really welcome any donations from local businesses to support us.”
The JustGiving link to donate is: https://www.justgiving.com/
As well as male and female CCAFC teams, the organisers are also hoping to involve the wider community by reaching out to other local football clubs to see if they’d also like to participate.