Football match nets funds for young carers in Sheffield

The event was organised by Sanctuary’s maintenance employees and saw gas operatives going up against their multi-trade counterparts to raise money for Sheffield Young Carers.

The match ended 7-3 to ‘Gas Team FC’, but everyone involved was a real winner as they raised a grand total of £879 for the cause.

James Jenkinson, a gas trade supervisor, came up with the idea for the match with his brother Thomas, who also works for Sanctuary as a gas engineer.

James said: “We wanted to do something to give back to the local community where we work and to support an extremely worthy cause.

“Everyone who took part had great fun and is very keen for a rematch next year. We definitely plan to make this an annual event.”

Sheffield Young Carers is an independent charity supporting young carers and young people affected by drug and alcohol issues in their family.

Katie Borland, director of funding and external relations at Sheffield Young Carers, commented: “We were delighted when we discovered James and his Sanctuary colleagues had chosen to support our work in this way.

“The match raised a fantastic amount of money, which will help us to continue providing some of Sheffield’s most disadvantaged young people and families with the practical and emotional support they need.

“It also helped to raise invaluable awareness of the issues facing young carers, which include lack of sleep, isolation and stress and anxiety – many of which have been exacerbated by the pandemic.”