Football team-mates step it out to raise money for RSPCA

Five team-mates from Earley walked from their football club to Reading Women’s FC to raise money for charity.

Beatrice Brown, Iris O’Brien, Faye Gorringe, Annabelle Taylor and Ariana Porter are all members of Laurel Park FC in Lower Earley and did their epic challenge to raise money for the RSPCA.

Annabelle had the initial idea to do the walk after being inspired by Ariana who did a sponsored bike ride earlier in the year. She then asked her teammates if they would like to help her. Beatrice, Faye and Ariana go to Radstock Primary, Iris goes to Hawkedon Primary and Annabelle goes to Hillside Primary.

Annabelle’s mum, Karina said: “The whole team has developed a strong bond over their mutual love of football and are now the closest of friends.

Eight-year-old Faye is already thinking of their next charity fundraiser!

“The girls all love animals. They knew straight away they wanted to support a charity that helps animals and found the late Queen was a supporter of the RSPCA when researching charities.”

And Iris added: “We chose this charity as I love my doggy and we want all animals to be as loved as him!”

Annabelle, aged eight, has two Rabbits (Lavender and Rosie) and a dog called Ozzy, Iris, aged seven, has a dog called Toby and Ariana, seven, has a dog call Buddy. The girls especially love it when the dogs come down to watch them at football training!

The walk ended up being 4.6 miles long and it took the girls just one hour 40 minutes!

Karina said: “We are all so incredibly proud of all the girls and their enthusiasm. Their spirits were high the whole way. They skipped, they did the conga, they did cartwheels and ran their way to the finish line. When they saw the Select Car Leasing Stadium in the distance shortly after the halfway mark they cheered together, and their spirits boosted. We are so proud of their selfless attitudes and their hard work and supporting one another. A real team spirit!”

Laurel Park are proud of them two. “It shows the importance of clubs like this in the community. It is not just about the kids having fun and being active, it is about building a community and that is what Laurel Park is, a community.”

The chairman, Ian Jobson, came down to the club to cheer them off on their start and gave them some sweets to eat along the way to keep their energy high and the club also sponsored the girls as well as promoted their efforts on social media to help their efforts.

The girls have now raised £1,050 doubling their target.

Karina concluded: “When they hit the £1,000 mark on Saturday, they were absolutely ecstatic! They kept asking us to check how much now and they were over the moon to have raised so much.”