Kind-hearted United fans dug deep to raise £325 for Jigsaw Hospice at last Saturday’s Crewe home game, helping club vice-president Donald Marks to take a huge step towards hitting this week’s fundraising target of £2,000.
Donald – from D Marks Carpets right here in Carlisle – is a long-standing friend and supporter of Jigsaw, Cumbria’s only children’s hospice, and used the Crewe game to kick start a week of activities in aid of some fantastic children and young adults.
The bucket collection at Brunton Park was followed by the ‘Ride the Lights’ challenge in Blackpool, on Tuesday, which saw nearly 4,000 people take to all manner of pedal-powered bicycles to complete a traffic-free cycle ride along the full length of the famous illuminations route.
“I’d like to thank the club for allowing me to hold a bucket collection last Saturday,” he said. “But, most of all, I’d like to thank the Carlisle fans, because between them all they donated £325, and I can’t stress enough how much that means to us and to the children at Jigsaw.
“Carlisle United and Jigsaw have become firm friends over the last few years, and I have a deep fondness for the staff and the children there as well, so to raise money for them is just fantastic.
“Myself and my granddaughter Ava Mae completed our trike ride on Tuesday, and that was a marvellous experience. There were so many people there, doing it for many different causes, and it was fascinating to see people tumbling off Penny Farthings or crashing into each other in decorated bikes and trikes along the way.
“We were armed with a water pistol, to keep people at arm’s length, so we had a fairly trouble-free ride!
“I set myself a target before the weekend of £2,000 and, once the final adding up has been completed, I expect to be very close to that figure.
“Thank you once again to everyone at Carlisle United for helping us to help these wonderful people.”
For more information on Jigsaw Hospice, or to donate directly, click HERE.
Please reference 'Donald Marks' when making your donation to help us to track the overall success of this particular appeal.