United Welsh and M&J Cosgrove help community football club hit by £4k theft

A housing organisation has teamed up with a housebuilder to help a community football club which had around £4,000 worth of equipment stolen.

United Welsh has worked with M&J Cosgrove to replace a power generator, as well as training equipment and other items which were stolen from Aber Valley FC.

Thieves stole the equipment from a storage container at the club’s Welfare Park in Abertridwr, which is used by the club to sell refreshments during matchdays and is a vital source of income.

The volunteer-led club has teams from under 5s through to veterans, with around 400 children in its junior categories.

United Welsh, which has previously supported the club’s foodbank appeal, offered to help after an appeal was put out and brought South Wales-based construction contractor M&J Cosgrove onboard.

The housing association donated £500 to replace the stock and food items stolen, while M&J Cosgrove has replaced the generator, tea urn, slow cooker, medical box, ball pump and 10 footballs.

Peter Radzimierski, Chairman of Aber Valley FC, said: “United Welsh and M&J Cosgrove have been unbelievable.

“I’ve been with the club the best part of 44 years, and when I came down here and the container had been broken into, it was heartbreaking.

“But now M&J Cosgrove and United Welsh have helped out, it’s rejuvenated me and it makes me think there’s a reason to go on.

“When you’ve got companies like this who are willing to help out, it means we can carry on supporting the community and helping the little ones coming through.”

M&J Cosgrove is also now in discussions with the club about building work to improve the shelter.

Jamie Caveill, Operations Director at M&J Cosgrove, said: “We were saddened to hear about the recent break-in at Aber Valley FC, so when United Welsh reached out to us to see if we could help, we were more than willing to.

“The club does such a lot for the kids and the community, so if there is any way we can help out we will.

“We know how important places like this are for the community.”

Helen Greenway, Community Benefits Co-ordinator at United Welsh, said: “Aber Valley FC supports hundreds of children in the community, including many of our young residents, so when we heard about the recent theft we wanted to do everything possible to help.

“Working with M&J Cosgrove we have been able to replace the items stolen, which will allow the club to use the storage container to sell refreshments during matchdays and provide a vital source of income.

“We will continue to work closely with the club and its volunteers who play a vital role in our communities.”