Kidderminster Harriers' Football in the Community Scheme are to hold a blockbuster Open Day & Fun Festival this weekend to raise urgently-needed funds to help keep the project alive.
Baxter College in Kidderminster will stage the event on Sunday, 23 Augus that's set to have something to interest absolutely everybody.
Nick Griffiths and his tireless crew have worked hard to put together the huge event that will run from before 10:00am all the way through to the early evening. But whilst the event has been structured with fun in mind, its purpose couldn't be more serious.
Founded in 1993 the Harriers FitC Scheme, a separate entity completely from KHFC, has been a staple part of local schools' extra curricular activities. Last year alone, the team visited over 100 schools and took Soccer Schools, skill sessions and more to over 25,000 pupils.
But after the withdrawal of the national funding that sees Community Schemes at League Clubs heavily backed with cash, the non-profit organisation here at Aggborough has been left to fend for itself.
Nick Griffiths explained: "At the same time we were relegated to the Conference in 2005, the National scheme decided that they were no longer going to support non-league clubs - we lost out on the funding as well as the likes of sponsorship, kits and entry into competitions.
"Clubs being relegated from the League now receive a parachute payment especially for their FitC - we never did and were left to fend for ourselves.
"We can't continue by ourselves, year on year, without some stream of income and that's what this Open Day is for - it's really important to us that as many people as possible come along and support us.
"In the last 16 years it's highly likely we've coached the largest majority of the local community during school sessions, or are doing so with members of their family now - we need them to come and support us on this day."
The gulf in funding was never more evident than last season when Harriers' first team narrowly missed out on promotion back to the Football League - the cruel twist being that League status would almost instantly ease the Scheme's woes.
"We'd have secured £48,000 in funding for next year had we gone up - that shows the difficulties we're having at the moment," added Griffiths, who has been part of the set-up since its inception.
This special fund-raising event next month will give everyone in the community the chance to give something back. Free to enter, the day will be packed with competitions, exhibitions, stalls, food and all sorts of other activities.
Eight age groups of Junior teams from U9s to U16s will take part in an early 6-a-side competition, with boss Mark Yates on hand to present the winners with awards. The first team will also be in attendance for autographs and photos
On the school's main pitch will be feature matches involving disabled teams, the Girls' set-up and more Junior outfits.
But it's not all a case of watching - everyone, young or old, will have their chance to join in. Those aged from five to eight will be able to take part in special four-a-side matches, whilst for the adults there's the inflatable Wembley Arena which will give you the chance to show off your own skills!
With raffles, a Keepy-Uppy challenge and Beat the Keeper competition along with so much more - there's without doubt something for all tastes and ages.
So please come along and support the Kidderminster Harriers' Community Scheme at this special, one-off event. All money raised will go straight back into the Scheme and will go some way to ensuring they can still bring football actively into the lives of thousands of youngsters each and every year.
For any further details, just call the Community's office on 01562 863821.
