A north Suffolk sports equipment supplier has come to the rescue of a primary school’s football team after hearing a plea from BBC Radio 2 breakfast show host Chris Evans.
Pete Robson, who works for Beccles-based Mark Harrod Ltd, heard nine-year-old Tobey Ferguson telling Chris that the school’s goalposts had been vandalised and that their latest game had ended 0-0 because the replacement posts were miniature ones and no one could score.
Mr Robson knew how Mark Harrod was passionate about supporting grass roots sport so he contacted the show to offer their help.
A little over 20 minutes later Mr Robson was on the show telling Chris and his 9.91 million listeners that the firm would donate a set of £600 goals to the school.
“It really tugged at our heart strings and I was delighted that we could help,” explained Mr Harrod.
Mr Harrod and Mr Robson travelled the 200 miles to Tobey’s school in Winchester to install the goalposts.
While they were there they met Chris Evans who officially handed over the goalposts to Tobey and his team mates.
“It was smashing to see the smiles on the children and was well worth the journey to get the new goalposts to the school.
“We sponsor a number of sports clubs in the Beccles area so it seemed right we should help this school from a little further away,” said Mr Harrod.
Chris Evans said: “I said we had to do something about the situation and within minutes we had people calling in offering help.”
Tobey was all smiles as he saw the new goal posts installed.
“I don’t know what to say. I did not think it would get this far. Now we can play a proper game of football,” he said.
Football is something that is always going to be important to Tobey.
His great uncle was Southampton and England star Terry Paine.
There could be a further connection between the Beccles firm and Chris Evans as Mark is currently in discussions with the radio and television star to see if a “goalfest” competition can become part of his annual Children in Need CarFest festivals.
“We believe it would make a fantastic addition to the popular CarFest festivals,” said Mr Harrod.
Have you got a story from the Beccles area? Email david.lennard@archant.co.uk
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