Over 50’s walking football team to hold auction and walking football tournament to raise money for Cancer Research.

The ever-active Bicester Fossils football team, with 76 registered members, have chosen to raise money for Cancer Research at their auction this year. The club were successful in receiving donations from local businesses for the event, which will take place on Saturday, May 7.

The event also commemorates the club’s 4th anniversary since its founding.

In addition to the auction, the team will be hosting a walking football tournament at Whitelands Farm Sports Grounds on Sunday, May 29.

Mark Paton, Bicester Fossil’s Charity Organiser, said: “7 May is the celebration of 4 years since our founding, and we’ll be holding an auction to raise money for Cancer Research. We’ve been going to local businesses and asking for donations for the auction, and we’ve been inundated with stuff.”

He added: “At our last charity game we raised £3,500.”

The club was officially formed on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, when a group of players met at Bicester Sports Centre to play walking football. An initiative started and subsidised by Cherwell Council for over 50’s.

Steve Payne, Chairman of the Bicester Fossils, said: “When we started there was a nucleus of about 11 or 12 players, but sometimes only 3 or 4 attended.

“When the new Whitelands Farm Sports Ground facility became available with 3G pitches, players were allowed to go and play there for the same fees. 18 players attended the first session, and that’s when we really started forming a team. Unfortunately, a week prior to starting at Whitelands the player who suggested the name ‘Bicester Fossils’, Paul Heafey, passed away”

He added: “Word spread and gradually Fossils numbers increased. Players’ ages ranged from 50 to 77 years, and in September 2018 we attracted our first shirt sponsor (LKW Camper of Oxford). At this point the team had started entering walking football tournaments.

The club has organised charitable fundraising, social and sporting events since its inception. They organise events outside of football such as footgolf, ten pin bowling, darts, quiz night, guided walks and go karting.

In previous years they have been successful in raising funds for causes including dementia, prostate cancer, cancer in children and the British Heart Foundation.  

Steve said: “Fossils are looking forward to taking part in the new Oxfordshire FA Walking Football league which starts on May 15.”

And Mark added: “It’s all about the community really, we like getting everyone together and through football capture the community spirit.”

 

 

 

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