Crewe Vagrants Sports Club Floodlight Appeal

Overview

Crewe Vagrants Sports Club (CVSC) are funding to replace floodlights for the astro.

The astro is one of the most popular facilities at Crewe Vagrants Sports Club and demand for the pitch has increased over the past year.

The current floodlights were installed in 1994 and have served exceptionally well over the past 28 years. The pitch was upgraded seven years ago, and it's time for the floodlights to be replaced with a more modern design which would reduce the club's carbon footprint, provide better lighting and ensure the safety of everyone using it.

This is one of the last astros in Cheshire East to have a top-quality playing surface and floodlights. Unfortunately, most astros in Cheshire East are not floodlit or have damage on the surface therefore it is imperative it gets the repairs that are needed.
 

Who uses the pitch?

 The pitch is used by the following groups:

• Crewe Vagrants Hockey Club
• Members of the club
• Local football leagues
• Schools
• Holiday activity clubs
• Members of the community
• Local Universities
• British University & College Sports
• Plus many more

How our project will be United by Birmingham 2022

The success of England and the rest of the United Kingdom at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games has increased participation in many grass-root sports.

The Birmingham 2022 did a fantastic job of bringing people together and improving health and wellbeing and we want to continue that here at our club.

Crewe Vagrants Hockey Club started FREE walking hockey sessions throughout the games and the summer months. Inspired by the games we had participants who had never played hockey before, those who regularly play hockey and the odd parent and child attending. 

The success of these sessions was outstanding and are now a regular weekly session.

The junior sections within Crewe Vagrants Hockey Club has grown rapidly over the past few years and as with the success of the games we have already started to see and increase in members joining. Going from 50 to 100 4-18 year olds in the space of 3 years shows the popularity of the sport. These members train regularly on evenings and having monthly tournaments with other clubs. We have children from all around the local area attending junior hockey training.

While there is a strong usage of the Astro from the hockey club as a club we have seen an increase in grass-roots sports. The likes of local 7 aside football league that plays every week has grown in popularity. There are a number of sports clubs that hold holiday clubs here as well as many local schools holding tournaments.

The continued use and popularity of the astro is ever growing. It is bringing more and more groups together. Without the replacement of the floodlights this will seriously impact how many people can use the Astro. Through the darker months, the lights are on from 5pm. Most evening activities start at 6pm. To continue to allow people to be active and take part in a variety of sports the replacement is essential.

Covid-19

We were successful with our last campaign in 2020 where we raised just over £7000 to help support the club during covid. This money was spent on keeping the vagrants afloat during lockdown and paying for the regular bills while the club had no income. Covid-19 has affected so many just like us, and seeing sports club close down due to loss of income is something we see to much at the moment.

Why are we fundraising?

The club is still feeling the impacts of Covid-19. We’ve lost out on £100,000's of business, due to lack of events, no sports and still having costs to pay. This has massively put back our planned renewal of the floodlights, and therefore we are asking for your help.

How you can play your part?

There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.

• Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!
• Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.
• Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!
• Create a fundraiser of your own. Use the button on our page to get started. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!

How will we use the money?

The money fundraised will go to the full replacement of the floodlights on the astro.

With your help we can get these desperate updates that we need.

We seek the assistance of all our current members, past members, friends, community and supporters in raising funds to help with the costs of replacing the floodlights  so we can continue to provide superb sports facilities in our community.

This is part of the fundraising campaign. As you may have already seen we have completed a 24hr bike-a-thon and cake sale.

With thanks to the following for donations of rewards:

• Crewe Vagrants Sports Club - https://www.facebook.com/crewevagrants
• Scrunchie Shack UK - https://www.facebook.com/scrunchieshackuk
• Cheerbrook Farm Shop - https://www.facebook.com/Cheerbrook
• Hickorys Gresty Green - https://www.facebook.com/HickorysGrestyGreen
• Hayley Driver Physiotherapy - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075846283880
• Radcliffe Group - https://www.facebook.com/radcliffegroup 
• Dragon hockey - https://dragonhockey.co.uk/