Creating More Meaningful Experiences

cREATING MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES

THE RAMS FAMILY FUND

This year, the introduction of the Rams Family Fund has helped us create more meaningful experiences at Pride Park Stadium.

At the height of Derby County’s administration troubles in early 2022, fans took to the streets in support of their beloved club and all that is associated with it, in a 10,000 person strong march. That powerful community spirit began to translate its way to donation requests, and the Rams Family Fund was launched in early February as a way to channel fans’ generous donations, and to accept applications from families wishing to attend the remaining home games of the campaign. Just two weeks later, the total stood at an astonishing £30,000. This allowed us to buy over 1,500 match tickets, which we distributed within our own sessions and across the community, to give as many people their first ever taste of Pride Park action, or allow them to return after a long time. The whole campaign was a triumph, but we did have some notable highlights. Firstly, Tyrese, a 7-year-old on our Live IT programme who came to England as a football-loving refugee, had never been to see a game in this country. He received one of the very first donated tickets, and fans then made further donations to kit him and his mum out in head to toe Derby kits, coats and scarves for their first visit to the stadium.

Then, we visited young Rams’ fan Tilly Hunt, who is in recovery from brain tumour treatment, with then-captain Tom Lawrence. We were able to invite her family to watch a match in hospitality, and also provided 50 tickets for her to give to her friends and family. Lastly, we met supporters John and Graham, who were invited to apply for tickets following a very difficult time in their lives. They had lost John’s wife, and Graham’s sister, Pat, in December 2021, and receiving the tickets in February was the only thing John had left the house for since his wife’s sad passing. We have never felt more connected to our club and fans, and what we achieved to create meaningful experiences together in the bleakest of circumstances is testament to the power of community, and we have no doubt it will long continue under our new ownership.