1st year Sports Journalism student, Dafydd Llewellyn has carried out an interview with Aberystwyth Town ladies player Kelly Thomas about this clubs ‘north pole challenge.’
This is a challenge that has seen a wide variety of the players take part in it to raise money for important causes such as the MS society, the Air Ambulance charity and this football clubs equipment.
This challenge is requiring the players to run, walk or cycle the distance from Aberystwyth to the north pole and back.
All of those that are involved with this initiative are trying to raise money for charity, maintain high-levels of fitness and improve the equipment that is available at this football team so that they can have an even more professional approach, are able to prepare for all of their matches in a better way and can compete with Wales’ top domestic women’s teams in all aspects of the sport on and off the pitch.
Kelly Thomas informed Llewellyn that the idea of it originated simply as “a way for the girls to keep fit.” Whilst also keeping an eye on their upcoming away match against Swansea City ladies, with it being a tough fixture, Thomas thought that this would be good preparation for it and “A way to bring everyone together.”
Although after completing it, they have raised almost £3,000 for Aberystwyth’s local area, and the Aberystwyth defender was pleased to thank all that have contributed to it “Friends, family, the people of Aberystwyth and further have been so generous, it’s been unreal.” A quarter of this has also been donated to the MS society and the Air Ambulance Charity. This selection of charities came about after exchanging ideas on a team messenger group, where The MS society was of importance as a squad members mother has been diagnosed with it and therefore all of the girls wanted to raise money for it.
In this interview, Thomas also said that the Air Ambulance is a vital aspect of safety when living in a rural area, stating that “It’s really important that they receive funding to continue the good work that they do.”
This interview highlighted a good idea from the players at Aberystwyth Town that will lead to money being raised for highly worthy causes, increased awareness for MS and just how important football is to so many.