Posted on 2nd August 2012
Pompey Supporters’ Trust unveiled a statue of club legend Jimmy Dickinson outside Fratton Park at the weekend following a fundraiser from fans.
Pompey fan’s plans to Walk the 92
This is a story from the FSF archive – the FSF and SD merged to become the FSA in 2019.
“I honestly can’t remember when I made the decision to walk to all 92 league clubs but I maintain I was sober at the time,” says Scott Mclachlan. “Well, probably.” The 44-year-old Pompey fan has committed to the remarkable feat of walking from club-to-club in one, very long, eight month trek raising funds for Prostate Cancer UK, which is also the Football League’s charity of choice for the 2012/13 season.
Scott’s Walkthe92 project begins in August and he’s set himself the target of raising £92,000. Being maths whizzes at the Football Supporters’ Federation, we’ve worked out that’s an eminently achievable £1,000 per club – and he’s calling on supporters from across the UK to support him via donations, accommodation, and public awareness.
And by supporters he means you – see how you can help below.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the UK. More than 40,000 are diagnosed with it every year, 10,000 men die as a result of it, and one in every nine men will get prostate cancer at some point in their lives. Money raised will go to research in combating the disease, an area Prostate Cancer UK described as “badly underfunded”.
Now the majority of UK citizens like donating to one charity or another – 56% of adults give to charity, raising a total of £52bn, according to Philanthropy UK figures from 2009/10. But what makes you take the leap from that, to quitting your job, putting on your boots, and walking the length and breadth of England (and a bit of Wales for good measure)?
“2012 is going to be an inspiring year for Britain and for sport. I also wanted it to be an inspiring year for me! Late in 2011 I was thinking about which resolutions could really make 2012 a year that would personally improve my life,” says Scott.
“I decided that I would take this opportunity in my life to do something I could be very proud of and my ambition was to catch people’s imaginations, raise some significant money for Prostate Cancer UK, and promote fan unity along the way.
“I’ve supported Portsmouth since I was a child. Being born and raised so close to the ground its fortunes have been a big part of my life, even continuing whilst living away from the city. Football is a passion and I proudly work for the Pompey Supporters’ Trust (PST) in trying to secure fans a say in how the club is run.
“As you can imagine, life at PST has been ‘eventful’ in the last few years, trusts are usually forged in the crucible of fire that engulfs a club when it has been badly managed. My respect for the work that trusts and fans’ organisations do up and down the country is huge and I aim to help promote the issues and causes that matter as I go – a roving ambassador if you will. I’m delighted to have the support of the FSF and Supporters Direct to aid me as I go.”
The Walkthe92 project relies on fans’ generosity to help Scott achieve his goals. Without the help of fellow football fans it would be very difficult for Scott to complete the eight month trek.
But what can you do to help? Find out below:
1. Donate here!
2. Send this article to friends via email, Facebook, Twitter or whatever social media you use.
3. Find Scott a place to sleep! His itinerary is finalised and he’d love to spend the odd night indoors rather than gazing at the stars from his tent. So why not offer Scott a roof for the night?
4. Inform your fans’ organisations of Scott and his fundraising so they can spread the word.
5. Pass this link on to your club and local media, they can help too.
If you have any other ideas or would like to help Scott, email him on: [email protected]
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