Time for the annual collective round of applause and general 'thank you' to everyone involved behind the scenes here at CL and to all our posters. We have left it a week as, well we won’t dress it up, it has been an absolutely awful year both in terms of the general Charlton backdrop, but also on many other things impacting on CL and our users.
However, we won’t dwell on that too much now. The real tragedy was that the end of season party at CL Towers was not its usual extravaganza of drunken, naked debauchery, but instead a wake-style afternoon tea and carrot cake, with the awkward silence occasionally punctured by
@Stig and
@lancashire lad half-heartedly releasing party-poppers to much tutting and shoulder shrugging.
Anyway, on to business. We are incredibly fortunate to have built up a loyal team of volunteers here at CL Towers, lured by the high pay, attractive benefits package and wake-style end of season parties. I won’t name them all, they know who they are, but were incredibly grateful to every single one of them for the inputs they put into CL. Whether that be running competitions, writing previews, providing commentaries, compiling stats or providing moderation.
Thank you each and every one of you.
Despite all the general gloom, we’ve managed to have a pretty successful year where it comes to fundraising. We are delighted that our support and links with the
Community Trust’s Upbeats programme continues so strongly. It was a huge honour to see Charlton Life once again adorn the shirts of the Upbeats kit. Through our fundraising for Upbeats Day and our Fixtures competition,
we’ve managed to raise £9,326 for the scheme this season. This goes a massive way towards their annual costs, so thanks to every one of you who bought auction prizes, or simply donated so generously. Tracing back at previous fundraising, I think this puts the total our members have contributed towards the Upbeats scheme at just over £43k, which is fantastic.
Another success was a number of our users forming the ‘
Covered End Choir’. Expertly driven by Tel, they went on to produce (amongst other things) the excellent
protest shirt. A 1,000 of these were sold and the effort in terms of bringing this both to fruition and the distribution involved was simply immense, far more than anyone not in the loop would have been aware. As a result, it generated some great profits, leading to
£5,500 boosting the Protest Fund and two local charities supported. The
Charlton Park Riding for the Disabled School benefited from £3,500, enabling them to go ahead with desperately needed renovation work and the laying of a new, safe patio area. A few of us were fortunate enough to go along to the unveiling recently and get to learn more of their work, and it was fantastic we were able to support in this way. Alongside CPRD, £
3,500 was also raised for Demelza House, who equally were hugely grateful.
In addition, our members have so far raised this season £1,360 in support of the Museum, £375 for the benefit of a Lib Club barmaid battling an aggressive cancer, £4,300 to the funeral costs of support Ian Oxley that had been imposed on his daughter, and over £2,000 towards the hip operation required by CAFC Ladies striker Gemma Shepard.
Thanks to everyone who has supported such a great fundraising effort. Sadly, one of major downside of communities such as this is the reality of losing members. We were sad to lose a further two members this season,
@nichorob and
@red_murph taken far too young in their 30s and 40s. With the growing Lifer army in the Sky, they are gone but not forgotten and our thoughts remain with their friends and families.
Thanks for continuing to use CL, we really do appreciate it. We wish you all a wonderful summer and hope more than anything that being a Charlton fan, whether you are a boycotter, protester or regime tolerator, is something that starts being enjoyable, fun and positive again. Soon please.
Up the Addicks!
Lookout, AFKA and the rest of the party popping crew
Comments
Cheap laugh, I know, but I thought I'd get it out the way early.
Thanks all!
And a big Happy 40th to the Top Mod, @i_b_b_o_r_g
Enjoy your day Big Rob.
Great job from everyone involved
This is a real community with heated debate, humour and, not least, compassion and friendship, the last two personally felt by me in spades over the last few months.
Well done to all that make this place happen.
RIP @nichorob and @red_murph , didn't know either personally but so sad that they passed so young.
Sterling work from you guys as always.
Thanks for running the site the way you do
We all play a part in making this a daily enjoyment and I look forward to us all posting under happier times in the not too distant future.
#Rolandout
Will leave you to imagine the swan image.
I'd post it now if only I could work out how...
(helps them stop having to deliver it to themselves no one wants to be a wanker)