Charity walk to Stadium MK launched by MK Dons Community Trust
Football fans are being encouraged to get walking and talking by joining a charitable stroll from MK Dons’ training ground to Stadium MK to kick start the club’s Community Matchday.
MK Dons Community Trust – the football club’s official charity - has launched Walk From Woughton ahead of the club’s League Two fixture against table topping Bromley on Saturday, April 11.
The walk will see fans join special guests, club mascots Donny and Mooie and representatives from the Trust in a march to Stadium MK by foot before kick-off in a bid to unite fans and support the Trust’s charitable objectives.
Funds raised will support the Trust and its day-to-day work connecting people of all backgrounds, ages, experiences and abilities to football to help them become the best version of themselves.
The 10-kilometre walk is open to anyone who wishes to take part, and can be completed at a pace which suits them.
Paul Mitchell, CEO of MK Dons Community Trust, said by signing up to Walk From Woughton fans can make a real difference to key societal issues people in Milton Keynes and the city’s surrounds are experiencing right now.
“Football’s power to transform lives should never be underestimated,” said Paul.
“We see this every day through our community programmes, which target people of all ages by helping them to either develop or overcome a particular challenge which is personal to them.
“We are proud to operate as the official charity of MK Dons FC, and represent the club across communities in our city to deliver positive and lasting change to real-world issues which exist beyond the perimeters of the pitch.
“The backing of fans can make a real difference to our work, and this is your opportunity to get involved.
“Walk From Woughton is a fun, no pressure, pre-match event everyone can support. Our own team will be lacing up their trainers to take part, and would be delighted to see as many fans as possible on the day.”
The Trust operates as a seven-day-a-week charity and manages four community facilities – Tattenhoe Sports Pavilion, Brooklands Community Sports Pavilion, Fairfields Sports Hub and Woughton on the Green Community Sports Pavilion.
Programmes include weekly Adult Physical Activity sessions for those living with a neurological condition, inclusion football, post-16 education, boys and girls football pathways and Premier League backed initiatives such as Premier League Kicks and Joy of Moving.
Dominique Mulamba has been a member of the Trust’s inclusion football programme since 2012.
The 28-year-old has autism and trains every Sunday afternoon while representing the Dons badge as a goalkeeper in regular matches against other local inclusion squads.
He said: “Without any doubt, MK Dons Community Trust has helped to change my life for the better.
“I’d go as far as saying it would’ve been impossible for me to secure my current employment without inclusion football. My teammates, coaches , family and friends have provided that fresh sense of confidence on and off the pitch.
“The club has the most amazing group of people. If it wasn’t for MK Dons Community Trust and its inclusion programme, I don’t know what I’d do with my Sundays or how my life would look because it has provided me with so much help.”
To sign-up to the Trust’s Walk From Woughton event ahead of MK Dons’ fixture against Bromley on Saturday, April 11, scan the QR code on the poster on the next page.
Full timings will be confirmed in the coming weeks.