News

Over 50 keen footballers took to the pitch for our inaugural 5-a-side charity tournament in aid of Derbyshire Mind and as part of Ward’s Let’s Smash Some Goals! Campaign in July.

Seven teams from across the business battled it out for championship glory at Rickmans Corner Community Centre. The line-up included Woodville Warriors, Inter Ya Nan, Transport B, Ward Wanderers, Non-Ferrous Hawkes, Redfox FC and Donald Ward House (DWH), with friends and family members supporting from the sidelines.

In addition to the action on the pitch, spectators young and old were treated to bouncy castle and face painting activities, games and BBQ refreshments, with all proceeds helping to top up the Derbyshire Mind charity pot.

DWH eventually took home the title with a 3-1 victory over Transport B, but the tournament wasn’t without controversy. The semi-final saw Transport B pitted against with Inter Ya Nan (ILK Ferrous) with Michael Jackson on the referee whistle – a divisive decision as he was also an ILK Ferrous player. Transport B was 2-1 up when the watch mysteriously stopped and there were friendly murmurs of foul play on Michael Jackson’s part. However, even with the additional time, Ilk Ferrous could not equalise and Transport B went through to the final.

John Simpkin, Waste Inspector and Ward Ambassador, was the driving force behind the event and was keen to support Mind as the charity partner due to his personal experience of their wonderful work to improve mental health and wellbeing for people across Derby and Derbyshire.

John said: “For me, what was so good was seeing everybody together having a good time where some of the employees playing would never, or very rarely, cross paths in their normal work life.

“I wanted to do this event for Derbyshire Mind as it’s something I feel very strongly about, having struggled with mental health myself in the past. I wanted to do football because exercise can be so beneficial to a person’s mental wellbeing, so I felt that a physical activity came together perfectly with what we were raising money for.

“The ambassadors and other members of Team Ward have worked really hard on this event and without them this would not have been possible, so I am so thankful.”

“Derbyshire Mind is a local charity supporting local people with their mental health and wellbeing. We were so grateful to hear that Ward chose Derbyshire Mind to benefit from their football tournament and family fun day. Not only is it great to hear of the success of the event, but it’s also great to hear that local businesses are raising awareness around mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.  Laura, Fundraising Coordinator at Derbyshire Mind.

Proceeds from the day are still being totted up, but it isn’t too late to donate, just visit the fundraising page. https://www.justgiving.com/page/ward-ambassadors-1688121878719?utm_term=jq68kneNq

For more information on Mind Derbyshire, visit: www.derbyshiremind.org.uk.