Widnes Vikings supporters asked to donate memorabilia

Supporters of Widnes Vikings are being asked to donate their spare memorabilia to help fans who live with dementia re-connect with their treasured memories of the club. This unique campaign will see the objects collected be used to create special Vikings memory boxes, which will help local dementia care homes and support groups.

Supporters are asked to bring their memorabilia – such as old programmes, shirts, videos and photographs – to the club’s final home game of the season against St Helens on Sunday 18th September, with there being drop-off points within the stadium. Fans can also drop their donations off at the Widnes Vikings office, located at the stadium’s South Stand, during any week day. Any memorabilia, from any era of the club’s history – from the Chemics to the Vikings – will be welcomed, and no donation is too small.

The project comes as part of the pioneering partnership between Widnes Vikings and the charity Community Integrated Care, which sees them work together in the charity’s care services and in the community.

The boxes will be used to support activity and reminiscence sessions for people who live in the charity’s specialist dementia care homes in Widnes and Runcorn. They will also be used at the Chemics Café, a free monthly support group for fans affected by dementia, which Community Integrated Care and the club host at the Select Security Stadium on the first Wednesday of every month.

John Hughes, Head of Marketing and Communications at Community Integrated Care, says: “Many people we support have enjoyed watching Widnes Vikings all their lives. Through using these nostalgic objects, we can help the people we support remember their special times cheering on the club. We want fans to know that the old shirts, programmes or newspaper clippings that they have gathering dust in the back of their cupboards can help us change lives.”

He adds, “The fans of Widnes Vikings have been so generous in their support of our charity this season, and we’re hoping we can end it on a real high with this important campaign. Every item donated will be appreciated by us and will make a big difference.”

Richard Munson, Widnes Vikings’ Community Integrated Director, says: “We would love nothing more than for our supporters to help us to reignite memories of the Chemics for those ardent fans who are living with dementia.” He adds, “Through this campaign, we hope to see the smiles back on the faces of the many supporters that filled the stands at Naughton Park and the Select Security Stadium. The club has offered access to their collection of memorabilia and heritage areas, with staff member Bex Jones creating memory boxes for the club.”

Related story: Widnes Vikings CEO, James Rule, praises our charity.