Lewes are the new Barcelona!
LEWES FC kick-off the new season tomorrow away to Staines Town having just announced a sponsorship deal that will benefit local and national charities.
At a time in football where profit seems to be everything, Lewes FC has shown that it's determined to prove its credentials as a community-owned football club.
The novel idea mimics what has been done by Spanish giants
Barcelona, who rather than earn a few extra million pounds by promoting a commercial enterprise on their shirts, prefer to advertise international children's charity UNICEF.
The Blue Square Bet South club, that on July 8 entered into 100 percent community ownership, has announced as one of its first initiatives that it is donating its shirt sponsorship to charity.
In fact, two charities to be precise will be featured until Christmas, at least, with the expectation being of season-long placements.
The home shirt will now promote the much-loved Lewes Victoria Hospital, which is currently celebrating its 100th year.
David Jones, the manager at the hospital commented: "We are already incredibly fortunate to have a very active League of Friends who support us.
"But the offer of so many local people seeing the hospital's name on the club's shirts and in our centenary year was one we were very surprised at, but delighted to accept."
The away shirt has been donated to the NSPCC. Founded in 1884, its vision is to end cruelty to children in the UK, something that all the staff at the football club felt very strongly they wanted to support.
Russell Squire, NSPCC community fundraising manager for Sussex said: "We are always looking for new ways to get our message in front of people.
"Lewes FC have shown that they put young people before profit and I'm impressed to see are also putting their hands in their own pockets to start the fundraising. Come on The Rooks!"
And to emphasise their support for the idea, all the players are signing up to a Donate As You Earn scheme that will see a percentage of their salaries go to the charities.
They hope fans will follow their lead. Steve Ibbitson, Lewes FC Manager added: "I'm proud of the club for doing this and setting out its principles, especially when things are still tough for us.
"I hope the fans and local business community will support us in this very special initiative."
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Weather for Lewes
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 0 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -5 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
