'Incredible' - Sheffield Wednesday fundraising campaign total revealed as Supporters Trust hails fans
The Sheffield Wednesday Supporters Trust’s fundraising campaign has generated north of £83,000.
The Sheffield Wednesday Supporters Trust has confirmed their fundraising campaign to help under-privileged supporters attend matches next season has raised more than £83,000.
The fundraiser was launched by the Trust, who have done some truly excellent work in the last 12 months, on May 29 and more than £20,000 was raised within 48 hours of it going live.
The figure continued to grow at a rapid rate of knots before a mystery donor, almost a fortnight ago, pledged to match every donation made up to £35,000. The fundraising campaign came to an end on Sunday night and the Trust has confirmed the final total stands at £83,088.
With £35,000 of that figure coming from a mystery donor, £48,088 has been raised by Wednesdayites, including a £1,867 donation from Arise Capital Partners member Tom Costin. Four contributors, including Costin, donated £1,000 or more.
With the fundraising campaign having now reached its conclusion, the Trust has confirmed they will work with the club to “ensure these funds are used in the way they were intended”. The money raised is set to go towards the purchase of season tickets, individual match tickets, Owls shirts for children and mascot packages.
A statement issued by the Trust on Monday lunchtime said: “£83,088 raised. A few weeks ago, we set out with a simple aim - to raise money that would help more people experience Sheffield Wednesday and strengthen the connection between our club and its community.
“We hoped supporters would get behind it. What followed was beyond anything we imagined.
“Thousands of Wednesdayites donated, shared, encouraged and supported the campaign. Some gave large amounts, many gave what they could, but every single contribution mattered.
“Together, you’ve helped raise £83,088.00 (less GoFundMe fees) to support initiatives that will help supporters, (potentially) local schools, charities and community groups, access opportunities they might otherwise never have had.
“The total is incredible, but the real achievement is what sits behind it, hundreds of people choosing to do something positive for others through the football club they love.
“Over the coming weeks we’ll be working with the club to ensure these funds are used in the way they were intended, and we’ll keep supporters updated every step of the way.
“To everyone who donated, shared the campaign or backed the idea from day one, thank you. This wasn’t about raising money.
“It was about making a difference. Nothing is insurmountable.”