8:00am Tuesday 6th March 2012
By Joe Willis
DARLINGTON pubs are being urged to pull together to help save the Quakers as investments in the company formed to buy the club break the £300,000 barrier.
Darlington FC 1883 (DFC 1883) last night announced plans for a fundraising drive to increase the sale of shares in the community company.
The call went out to pubs and clubs, as well as shops, offices and schools, to raise money by holding fun and imaginative events.
The fundraising drive will end with a Darlington Day on Saturday, April 7, when it is hoped the town will join in a celebration of the club.
Steve Weeks, a director of DFC 1883, said: “We want people to raise money but have fun doing it rather than just drop cash in a bucket.
“Pubs could have domino drives, race nights, pool competitions or karaoke. We’re also looking to shops, as well as other businesses, schools and colleges to get involved.”
Pubs and businesses taking part in the fundraising will receive publicity in The Northern Echo.
The plan has the backing of Darlington MP Jenny Chapman.
She met administrator Harvey Madden and members of the DFC 1883 board yesterday morning.
The MP said it was a positive meeting, but added: “It was acknowledged that things had gone a bit flat without any home games for several weeks and the initial surge in investment slowing.
“So we now need to widen the appeal and reach out to businesses and other people.”
Plans for the fundraising drive were announced last night at a DFC 1883 open evening at the Arts Centre, in Darlington.
Another issue on the agenda was the shares issue total.
Although the totaliser last night stood at about £296,000, this figure did not include £22,400 of the £42,400 bought using cash and cheques, meaning the up-to-date total now stands at about £318,000.
A race night held at the club following Saturday’s game raised £5,300 for the community company.
Quakers kit man Andrew Thompson, who helped organise the event, said: “I want to thank everyone who played their part and obviously those who bidded.”
Fundraising queries can be emailed to questions@ buydarlo.org
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