Carlisle United and Eden Valley Hospice (and Jigsaw) have a long-standing and close relationship which has seen the organisations link-up on many occasions on a range of different projects over the years, so it was a pleasure to be at Wetheral Community Centre on Monday night to see the Crusaders U11 team in their fantastically branded strips.
The boys now have the Eden Valley Hospice logo proudly displayed on their shirts thanks to Jayne Dennis, who works for Minihan McAlister Ltd, Agricultural and Property Solicitors based at Warwick Mill in Carlisle.
Jayne, who sadly recently lost her mum to a stroke, spoke to former-Blue Paul Boertien - manager of the Crusaders - about the best way of supporting the team and a local charity, and sponsorship of the strips was quickly discussed and finalised when Vicki Lesley, from the Hospice, arranged for permission for the Hospice’s branding to be used by the team.
First-team players Fin Back and Sonny Hilton were quick to volunteer to join Hospuss, the giant Hospice mascot, with the team after their Monday night fixture (which they won) to help to publicise the partnership and to remind people that the Hospice needs vital funds to continue its good work.
Paul told us: “We’re really proud of the fact that we have this link with the Hospice. With Jayne having lost her mum so suddenly she wanted to forge a partnership with one of the charities around the Carlisle area, so she approached me about it, and we then talked to Eden Valley Hospice about the possibility of putting their logo on our strip.
“Jayne has paid for everything in terms of the shirt branding and production, which was in excess of £500, and I know that’s something the Hospice appreciates as much as we do.
“As soon as we first contacted Vicki about this it became something that Jayne really wanted to see through to a successful conclusion. She donated the money, and it’s been a really smooth process because of the desire from everybody to get it done.
“She does have her own business, but it was never even an option for her to put her own branding on there. It was always about helping the Hospice, and I really do think that’s amazing.
“Credit also goes to Vicki at Eden Valley because she’s managed it all so well from their end. It’s worked out in the best way possible for Jayne, the Hospice and my players, and a big thank you goes to Sonny Hilton and Fin Back for coming along and helping us to raise awareness of something so positive.”
Vicki said: “We’re extremely grateful to have this opportunity to get our logo on the front of the shirts.
“The generosity shown by Jayne is amazing and seeing the boys in action, with the logo displayed, has been fantastic.
“I don’t think the Hospice has done anything like this before and it’s a great way for us to raise awareness at the same time as making sure, thanks to Jayne, that the boys have a strip for the next two seasons. That’s huge for them and us.
“We have to thank Paul and Jayne, because it means the world to us know that the work that’s done at the Hospice is appreciated by so many people.
“You hear so many nice things that people have to say, and I think that’s one of the reasons why we do get such wonderful support from local businesses and from within our community.
“The fact is that we couldn’t do it without the support we get, so on behalf of everybody connected with the Hospice I’d like to say thankyou to everybody who takes time to help us to raise both awareness and funds.”
Speaking on behalf of Jayne, who was away on business on Monday evening, husband Tom said: “I know Jayne’s mum would be so pleased with the fact that it’s not just a charitable donation going to a fantastic facility, but it’s also helping a group of young lads do something they love.
“Her mum worked with the Citizen’s Advice in Carlisle and she sent a lot of people to the Hospice as part of her work, so she’ll be really pleased that link is still there.
“Seeing the boys play their game tonight with the strip and logo on is excellent, because it’s the culmination of all the work that’s been done to get all of this finalised.
“At the same time as highlighting a good cause it’s making sure that the team can play their games. It’s fantastic to be part of something like this.”
The evening was rounded off with a further donation of £440, following a collection by the parents and guardians of the team, which was made on behalf of the Crusaders gang by Ethan Dennis.
For more information on how you could help Eden Valley Hospice, click HERE.
