Virtual football club Bangor Comrades FC is pleased to announce that sales of its latest iconic football shirt have raised £1,270 for Dementia Actif Gwynedd, a local charity supporting those caring for people with dementia.

 

The limited edition shirt, based on the classic Bangor City shirt of the late 1970s was snapped up by Bangor fans all over the world, including Wales and Ipswich Town player Nathan Broadhead. Nathan’s Taid, Bangor legend Tony Broadhead wore the original shirt back in the day. Others have made their way to New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, the USA and Europe.

Bangor Comrades was formed in 2018 as an informal group of Bangor fans on social media who wanted to keep the spirit and history of the game alive in the city. With the formation of CPD Bangor 1876 FC, the group quickly became an unofficial 1876 supporters network and now works to promote the fan-owned club’s community activities, particularly those associated with wellbeing and mental health support.

Bangor Comrades FC said: “We’re genuinely humbled by the response of the Bangor football community to this initiative. So many people are touched by the effects of dementia – we wanted to not only raise money for the charity, but also raise awareness of the great work it does to help so many people.

“Seeing the Comrades shirts at 1876 games reinforces just how much people care about their community and want to help. Huge thanks go to local kit supplier Teejac who produced and distributed the shirts at cost price, enabling us to donate every penny of the profits to Dementia Actif Gwynedd.”

Bangor Comrades has now raised more than £10,000 for local causes through a range of projects. Its occasional fanzine, Brama, can be found on sale at 1876 games and ‘Comradiation’, a digital compilation album featuring tracks donated by artists from Bangor and the surrounding area, is still available to download. The group’s next fundraiser is still in the planning stage, but rumours of a live music event have not been denied – watch this space…

Emma Quaeck from Dementia Actif said: “The Dementia Actif Gwynedd team and members would like to thank Pete and all the Bangor Comrades for the amazing effort in raising an astonishing £1270 from the sale of the football tops  – we are blown away by the generosity. The money will go towards organizing a special event for unpaid carers who are looking after a loved one living with dementia.

“We know that unpaid carers and family members do a fantastic job in challenging circumstances and we’d like to show our appreciation by providing an event that’ll give them a little time out and enjoyment. Thank you so much once again.”

Pete Jones presented the cheque, on behalf of Bangor Comrades, for £1,270 to Lia Haf Roberts of Dementia Actif Gwynedd at this week’s Sporting Memories Club session in Bwyd Da Bangor.

Sporting Memories is a weekly session run by CPD Bangor 1876 FC in conjunction with Dementia Actif Gwynedd. The club welcomes older members of the community, including those with dementia and other health issues, to get together and reminisce about sport and sports stars in a welcoming and positive environment. More details from Anwen on 07585 454 583.

Photos: (1) Main photo by Dafydd Hughes (2) Ipswich Town and Wales Plyer Nathan Broadhead wearing his Bangor Comrades Shirt