Wanderers weigh in to help
With Christmas just a fortnight away, Royal Harbour Academy youngsters set up a project to help support Covid-19 disadvantaged families of pupils over the two-week break by providing them with Christmas care packages. The aim was to raise enough money to provide help which would have a positive impact.
Mickey Capeling, Head of Year 11 and PE at the Academy is a Thanet Wanderer, the club having, in partnership with the Paul Keohane Sports Fund, run the successful Thanet Wanderers Schools Rugby Programme.
Royal Harbour Academy was the original hub for a rugby programme which has received huge praise from the Department for Education for its mentoring and aspirational work. Having taught for 16 years, Mickey says this is the most rewarding initiative he has been involved with, many pupils having greatly benefitted.
John Keohane, a trustee of the sports fund, and Chris Panteli, Chairman of Thanet Wanderers, agreed to support the Academy’s Christmas packages initiative by providing £2,000 of funding, while Mickey also focused on raising further funds from the community.
Chris and Andy Bull, Thanet’s Marketing and Development Director, visited Royal Harbour Academy to see tables laden with bulging bags of festive cheer and the tremendous efforts of volunteers preparing and delivering over 300 packages. They also heard about the huge difference the parcels could make to the lives and wellbeing of many local vulnerable young people and their families.
Thanet Wanderers’ speedy response helped make a real difference said Mickey, while Chris described the club’s donation as a contribution back to the local community which epitomises what the Paul Keohane Sports Fund and Thanet Wanderers are all about.
