Bradford Disability Football Club (BDFC) are pleased to announce ASDA Keighley as a new community partner.
BDFC player, Nick Kitchen has rallied the support of his manager Paula Watson and his colleagues to raise both funds for his beloved club through the ASDA Community Life Programme.
A weekend of events to celebrate to begin raising awareness and funds starts this Saturday at valley Parade as Nick and Paula will join other BDFC players as match sponsors will sit pitch side to support the League one teams playing on the pitch at half time.
Former Bantams striker Ian Ormondroyd, Chairman of BDFC and Community Officer for Bradford City said “The Gillingham game couldn’t be better timing to announce the news as it the first day of Level Playing Fields Weeks of Action Campaign, a charity devoted to campaigning and supporting disabled football fans”
“Nick, who works as ASDA Keighley has received unwavering support from his employer who have accommodated a change in hours to allow him to attend training and league games and additionally supporting BDFC through the store is fantastic!”
Sunday 16th March there will be the first of many events starting with a bagpack and fun day being held at the ASDA Keighley store to start the fundraising and community activities, BDFC coaches and special guest Billy Bantam will be on hand for fun football sessions in the car park and Ian Ormondroyd “Stix” of the Pulse will be attending to pack the first shoppers bags with Nick at 11am!
Paula Watson, Store Manager said “The Community Life Programme encourages every ASDA store play an active role in the life of their community, from raising money for local charities to volunteering; our colleagues take their responsibilities towards their local community very seriously.”
“As life long Bradford City fans me and my husband watched the Bradford City Disability team play and was thrilled by seeing how much it meant to Nick and our fellow city fans to play at Valley Parade, we could see what a positive impact the club can have on peoples’ lives.
"Nick and I told the store team about what I saw that Saturday and ask my store team to help. From then on my store team have worked alongside BDFC to build a plan to help raise money and grow awareness of this truly great cause in our community. I encourage you all not just think of your ASDA store as a supermarket but a centre for your community. Come on City!“
Nick Kitchen was born with born with Hydrocephalus, water on the brain, they drained the water by inserting a valve which still remains embedded in his skull. Nick suffered complications and was left with permanent disabilities, apart from his evident height and child size, he is only partially sighted. Growing up Nick being smaller and less able bodied than his peers was unable to play the game he loved so much due to fear, he has described the experience as terrifying!
Nick started playing at BDFC having met a number of the players who come to Bradford City Matches together already, his league debut was on the pitch at Valley Parade at the Colchester game where he scored!! Nick Said “I regret now that I did not play football before, I am so proud and privileged to play for BDFC, it a dream come true it’s one of the best things i have done in my life and the one of my greatest achievements.”
“I have been made very welcome, my team mates are friends and everyone works together, they are like a family. I could never thank enough the coaches and players for giving me this opportunity.”
Bradford Disability Football club was founded in 2002 with an initial grant of £1,000 and 8 players, now it has over 100 members aged from 6 to 60 and is growing in its profile and its membership every year. The disability club is a part of the Bradford City FC Community Foundation and the club chairman is Ian Ormondroyd, ex Bradford City Player, also known as ‘Big Stix’ for those who listen to Pulse Sport on Matchdays.