Story added: 14th December 2021

A look back at some of the highlights of the past 12 months

January

The year starts in a national lockdown, and the Foundation’s departments are forced to switch to a virtual delivery model once again.  These include free fitness classes, one-to-one family support workshops and social sessions to ensure all our participants are kept connected.

February

The Squad Goals Challenge is launched. Fundraisers are challenged to set their own fundraising challenge themed around first team squad numbers. Fundraisers of all ages walk, run, skip and dance to the tune of their favourite player and help raise £12,500.

March

Construction is completed at The Nest. The £4.6 million pound phase of development sees the stunning new addition of the Hub building, the outdoor Challenge Woods and a new full-size floodlit 3G pitch.

The Foundation’s schools team help celebrate the end of the ‘home-learning’ period, with a specially broadcast online assembly.

April

A new programme for asylum seekers in Norwich is launched. ‘Fresh Start’ is development in association with local charity New Routes and offers football sessions and lifeskills workshops at Carrow Park.

May

The Club’s Principal Partner Lotus Cars generously donate a Lotus Elise Sport 240 Final Edition to the Foundation to help raise funds for the charity’s work with disabled people. The car is the first car to be built from the Final Edition range, and competition entrants pay £9 for the once-in-a-lifetime chance to win the car.

June

Over £32,000 is raised for the Foundation through the return of the Coastal Walk Challenge to the Norfolk coast. An amazing 220 fundraisers tackle a their chosen distance of either 6 miles, 12 miles, 22 miles or 47 miles from the start point in Hunstanton. Among the 60 Norwich City FC staff who take part are sporting director Stuart Webber and business & project director Zoe Ward.

July

Premier League summer sessions support young people during the school holidays. Kicks in the Park offers free outdoor sport sessions in areas of higher deprivation across the county. As well as a chance to be active and socialise, participants receive food packs.

The return of the Summer Cup, following a year absence due to Covid-19, returns to The Nest, with 55 teams and over 500 players joining us for the two-day football festival.

Nine fundraisers hit the three highest points in Scotland, England and Wales, and raise a whopping £17,200 for the Foundation as the Three Peaks Challenge is conquered!

August

Charity car washes, cake stalls and post-lockdown facelifts for community centres – across the summer, young people leave their mark in Norfolk thanks to our National Citizen Service programme. Over 305 participants take part.

A new partner programme for junior grassroots teams is launched. The initiative aims to strengthen the bond between junior club and teams, the Foundation and Norwich City Football Club by giving young players exclusive access to coaches, facilities and unique playing opportunities.

The Canary Cup welcomes young development sides and pan-disability teams from across the country to The Nest, including teams from Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and more.

Despite driving wind and rain, 11 walkers raise over £7,000 through our first Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.

September

The conditions couldn’t have been better for the Foundation’s annual day on the fairways.  This year the format is Dean Ashton vs. Bryan Gunn, in a Ryder Cup style fundraiser at Royal Norwich. Over £12,000 is raised.

We hold our first ever Thanking Day – a day of recognition to the many that have donated, taken on a fundraising challenge, formed a corporate partnership or volunteered their time In some way. Phone calls are made, thank you cards are written and cakes are delivered across Norfolk!

October

Six fundraisers, including the Foundation’s Simon Lappin and Nick Bond and the Club’s Chris Domogalla, take on the Virgin Money London Marathon, helping to raise over £7,000.

A new programme, which helps disabled adults and children realise their potential, is launched. Realising Potential offers sports, educational and/or employability support over 10-weeks, led by our new Inclusion Officer.

November

At Lotus’s HQ, Hethel, competition winner Alex Juggins is handed the keys to his brand new Lotus Elise. As part of a VIP handover day experience, Alex is given a tour of the site, meets Delia Smith, Jake Humphrey, Stuart Webber and Jenson Button – before enjoying a series of laps around the test track. The competition raised just over £99,000 in ticket sales, while Lotus kindly add a donation to take the grand total to £100,000.

December

Our new monthly giving programme, City Giving, is launched. The scheme aims to have a life-changing impact on people in Norfolk who live with disabilities, mental health challenges or are disadvantage and vulnerable.

There are changes on the board, as Jake Humphrey is appointed the charity’s new Chairperson.  He replaces outgoing chair Paul Knowles, who will remain a trustee, while trustee Mick Dennis retires from the board after 9 years service.