Jordan Willis and Reice Charles-Cook spent time with students from Round Oak School as CCFC announces details of Jimmy Hill Legacy Fund...
Sky Blues in the Community director Guy Rippon believes the newly-launched Jimmy Hill legacy fund will be 'incredible' for the Coventry and Warwickshire community.
Jimmy Hill passed away in December 2015 and his legacy was recently remembered at a service in the Coventry Cathedral, where the likes of Bobby Gould and John Motson paid their respects to one of the football world’s most influential characters.
Alongside this, the legendary manager and chairman is being honoured with a fund to help improve and support communities in the local Coventry and Warwickshire area, with particular focus on supporting activity for disabled participants and underprivileged children.
Coventry City FC and SBitC want to create a lasting legacy for the man that gave so much to the football club and the surrounding communities of Coventry, with the fund also supporting activities in the Sky Blues Family Zone on matchday at the Ricoh Arena.
Two members of the Sky Blues first team Jordan Willis and Reice Charles-Cook took part in the days activities, playing football and handball with the students of Round Oak School and answering questions about their role at CCFC.
Guy Rippon, who works alongside David Busst as a Director of SBitC and has overseen a huge expansion in operations in the last few years, believes the fund stands to benefit the entire community.
Guy Rippon, Director of Sky Blues in the Community, said: “This is something we have been thinking about and planning for a number of weeks. We’ve taken our time in preparing the launch and understanding how the funds raised are going to support our work in the community.
“There are a number of different ways that local people are going to benefit; we’ll be working with children and adults with a range of disabilities, supporting under privileged children with organised activity and it will also go towards the volunteers that give up their time on a Saturday afternoon at the Ricoh Arena in the Family Zone.
“Times are hard in terms of securing sponsorship or grant money to support activities, so this fund will provide some much needed equipment and assistance for organisations that might be struggling financially.
“SBitC has got 20 full time members of staff now, delivering over 200 sessions a week as we continue to grow and to connect with more people across Coventry and Warwickshire.”
A committee will help run the Fund and distribute monies to external organisations which will include representatives of CCFC and SBitC, and former chairman and SBitC trustee Joe Elliott who is also part of the Jimmy Hill memorial organising committee.
If you would like to find out more about the Jimmy Hill Legacy Fund in general, or to discuss your specific fundraising ideas, please contact Guy Rippon at Sky Blues in the Community on 024 7678 6371, by emailing guy.rippon@ccfc.co.uk.