Communities in England and Wales to benefit from over £600,000-worth of funding from Sky Bet… with financial support to arrive at projects linked to several EFL clubs

Communities across England and Wales will benefit from more than £600,000 in funding thanks to this programme Sky bet.

Financial support will be provided to projects linked to more than 60 EFL clubs, including Sunderland and Colchester, through the first wave of grants awarded by the new Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund.

Several programs, ranging from those tackling isolation and loneliness to improving fitness and mental health, are set to benefit as a result of Sky Bet’s commitment to invest £6 million over six years.

At the start of funding in 2023-2024, each EFL Club Community Organization was given £10,000 to invest in ongoing programs and develop community initiatives. The first wave of grants have now been awarded, with presenter and Sky Bet ambassador Jeff Stelling making the bids for funding.

Such as Leeds United, who will put more money into their ‘Social Goals’ program to tackle isolation among the over-50s, Morecambe, who will buy equipment to run health and fitness sessions for local communities, and Sunderland, who will launch their ‘Wear Together’ program will continue. ‘ project aimed at increasing activity levels for those over 55 have all benefited from the funding announced on Friday.

A number of projects linked to EFL clubs will receive funding to help meet their obligations

Projects range from tackling loneliness to organizing free football sessions in the community

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Wycombe Wonderers and Crewe Alexandra have also benefited from funding a coaching course and expanding weekly football sessions at the club for Eastern European migrants and African asylum seekers respectively.

Colchester, meanwhile, runs free-to-enter weekly football sessions for adults, with more than half of EFL clubs benefiting from funding.

At the launch of the fund in November, former England striker Emile Heskey joined EFL chairman Rick Parry to highlight the success of walking football in Barnsley, while Blackburn Rovers were the first to receive their £10,000.

Debbie Cook, EFL Director of Community, said: “Sky Bet’s funding not only enhances the excellent work already done by our clubs in the community, but also creates a legacy that will continue for years to come.

‘This commitment from Sky Bet shines a light on the breadth and depth of the work football is involved in across all our communities and tells the powerful stories of the local community members who benefit from these initiatives and programmes.’

Sky Bet has committed to providing £6 million in funding over six years

Dan Colton, Managing Director of Sky Bet, said: “You only have to see the success of programs like “Remember the Rovers” in Blackburn to realize the impact the Building Foundations Fund has and will continue to have for years to come.

“We are incredibly proud of the Building Foundations Fund and our work with clubs across the EFL to breathe new life into the community projects they run.”