Local teams get their charity football boots on

The Child Action Northwest Orphanage Cup, a long-running football tournament which took place for the first time in 1952, brings together amateur football teams from local companies across Lancashire. In 2020, for the first time due to the emergence of Covid 19, the tournament did not take place. But thanks to a lot of support and local enthusiasm, the competition was back on for 2021.

The final between Blackburn Rovers Community Trust and H&T Presspart kicked off at the AFC Darwen pitch on Thursday 8th July 2021. H&T Presspart won the match by an impressive 4-1 score against valiant runners up Blackburn Rovers Community Trust who received our ‘Trevor Booth Memorial Cup’. This year’s tournament raised over £2000!

Sue Cotton, CEO of CANW commented:

“The Orphanage Cup offers businesses a fantastic teambuilding opportunity, and it’s a brilliant way to engage with colleagues outside of work in a fun and competitive environment. Businesses are also increasingly searching for a way in which they can directly support good causes within the communities most local to them – the Orphanage Cup gives local businesses the chance to score in both of these areas.”

The Orphanage Cup has raised more than £100,000 over the years for Child Action Northwest (CANW), which started life at Blackburn Orphanage and supports over 10,000 children, young people and vulnerable adults every year. A charity with a big heart, our mission is to support every child to achieve their ambitions, whatever challenges they face.

A huge thank you to the Lancashire Football Association, for their guidance and support and also each business that signed up to participate in this year’s exciting tournament.

Iain Mackie, Football Development Officer of LFA commented:

“We’re thrilled that the competition went ahead this year despite all the difficulties. The businesses involved were chomping at the bit to get on the pitch and play, and their professionalism and commitment to the competition and indeed the charity, is second to none.

To have turned around the competition in a matter of weeks is testament to the partnership between the LFA, CANW and our volunteers working on the project.

Lancashire FA are thrilled to have supported CANW as they raise much needed funds after a difficult year for fundraising. We can’t wait to build on the success of this year’s competition and will be back with the full competition format once again next spring.”

Facebook – @ChildActionNW

Twitter – @TeamCANW

Instagram – @child_action_northwest