Football club scores a grant

Thornhill United FC, which provides free football for children of all ages, has been given £651 from One Community.

The organisation was set up last year to support community groups and charities across Kirklees.

In the summer, groups were invited to apply for grants from three funds, and Thornhill United successfully bid for a grant from the Ken Davy Fund.

Club chairman Chris Kennedy said: “It is always a struggle to raise funding to support our various teams, and we are all extremely grateful to One Community and the Davy Fund for providing funding.

“We established the team in 2008 and since then we have gone from strength to strength. As well as playing football, we undertake much work in the local community, working hard to ensure that we are a multi-cultural club, and give everyone a chance to come and enjoy playing some football.”

The money will cover the cost of hiring two pitches – one at Overthorpe Park and one at Thornhill Community Science College in Valley Drive – from Kirklees Council for a season.

Sir John Harman, One Community chairman, said: “When we launched the foundation in May 2010, our aim was to support local good causes, and so it is especially pleasing to be in a position where we can make a positive difference to communities across Kirklees, especially in this present climate of spending cuts.

“The funds were three times oversubscribed, which just illustrates the level of demand that exists locally from charities and community groups.”