Author: Disabled Supporters Association

The draw for the Swansea City AFC Disabled Supporters’ Association Christmas raffle for 2020 was made earlier today and here are the lucky winners.

1. £100 club shop voucher – DSA – 745 Rosie Amesbury

2. £50 club shop voucher. – DSA – 581 Mandy Wathan

3. Case of Gower Gold. – Leigh Dineen. – 309 Sian Davies

4. Welsh Slate – donated by Welsh slate and gift boutique, Cross Hands – Mike Cram

5. 3 bottles of wine – donated by Morrisons Swansea. – 479 Rebecca Edwards Symmons

6. 2017/18 XXL White Training Swans Jacket – donated by M Evans. – 36 David Bentley

7. Glamorgan Cricket – 2 tickets to a T20 match in 2021 – 821 Nicola Dyer

8. Book – Swansea Moments – donated by Swans Trust – 618 Noreen Atkinson

9. Footgolf – A free game for 6 people. – 875 Susan Thomas

10. Table Lamp – donated by Arthur Llewellyn Jenkins – 271 Ben Newbery

11. Knitted monkey family set. – 373 Catherine Hinder

12. Champagne and Chocolates – donated by J and L Peak – 464 Lesley Williams

13. 2017/18 Large Red Swans top – donated by M and L Evans. – 52 Amanda Bentley

14. £20 gift voucher – donated by Tesco Fforestfach – 1028 Martyn Hughes

15. Season 19/20 Swans signed shirt – donated by SCAFC – 131 Mair and Alan Hicks

16. Book – Swansea ‘til I die – donated by Swans Trust – 192 Clare Lewis

17. Tour of the Liberty (a household or bubble) – donated by SCAFC – 163
    Eleanor Jones

18. Large Goalkeeper socks (Atlantic Deep ) – donated by M Evans – 528 Richard Vaughan

19. 2 boxes of sweets – donated by Bookers – 962 Mike Evans

20. 2 boxes of sweets – donated by Bookers – 501 Eve Dewson

21. 2 boxes of sweets – donated by Bookers – 423 Paul Ellery

22. 2 boxes of sweets – donated by Bookers – 1097 Paul Thomas

23. 2 boxes of sweets – donated by Bookers. – 926 Sandra Davies

24. Swans Rug – donated by Budget Carpets – 115 Chris Glover

25. 2017/18 Large white Swans top – donated by M and L Evans. –95 Laurent Popham

26. Weekend at Channel View, Rhossili – donated by J and L Peak – 822 Nicola Dyer

27. Afternoon Tea for 2 at the Oxwich Bay – 541 Rhys and Roseanne

28. 2 bottles of wine – donated by Dawsons – 1020 Sian Davies

29. Gift Hamper – donated by Dawsons. – 81 Laurent Popham

30. Afternoon tea for 2 at the Mercure Hotel, Swansea. – 213 Cath Morris

31. Box of Welsh Cakes – donated by Te-eto Cakes and Bakes.- 215 Cath Morris

32. Marks and Spencer Gift Bag – donated by M and S Fforestfach –9 Paul Griffiths

33. £10 club shop voucher – donated by Dave Dalton, Trust vice-chair – 935 Helen Howe.

34. Gower Gold Club Sunday lunch takeaway – 850 Andrew Minchin

As well as congratulating all of our winners, we’d like to say a big thank you to every who bought a raffle ticket.

We’d also like to give our heartfelt thanks to everyone who donated a prize, as without your help, we wouldn’t have been able to have a raffle.

Today marks International Day of Disabled Persons, and Swansea City is proud to recognise and celebrate the incredible work of our Disabled Supporters Association during this most difficult of periods.

For many supporters attending a matchday at the Liberty Stadium is about so much more than the 90 minutes, and our disabled supporters are no exception. The uncertainty and isolation as a result of the pandemic has negatively impacted the mental health of those who rely heavily on the social aspects of a live game.

During each season the DSA work with the club to introduce new facilities and incentives to benefit disabled supporters. Since its launch the DSA has also hosted many successful social events, attended by Swans players and staff.

While many of these events have been postponed due to the pandemic, the DSA committee have continued to work tirelessly to spread some positivity and stay connected to the association’s members.

Throughout the pandemic the DSA has:

• Delivered food hampers to members during lockdown.
• Undertaken social media competitions.
• Continued to fundraise for Macmillan Cancer Support through socially distanced coffee mornings.
• Supported BBC Children in Need.
• Supported the Mr X Appeal – providing Christmas gifts to under-privileged children.

DSA chair Andrew Brayley points out that it’s the ethos of “one happy family” that continually motivates the committee, who dedicate many hours helping fellow Jacks and their families.

“The DSA found it important to keep in contact with our members during these difficult times where loneliness and isolation have come to the forefront,” he said.

“As a committee, we have worked tirelessly to keep every member engaged with the DSA and the club.

“To this end we have organised a number of competitions, a coffee morning, supported the Mr X appeal, player of the decade, supported BBC Children in Need, shared member profiles, and are currently organising a Christmas raffle.

“We always try and ensure that our members feel valued and involved, keeping the ethos of ‘one happy family’. The DSA continually receives positive feedback on the work we do.

“On a final note I would like to thank our sponsors and the club for their contributions during this time.”

Swansea City disability access officer, Mark Phillips, explained how important the DSA has been to the club and supporters during the pandemic.

“We know how important attending matches at the Liberty Stadium is for our disabled supporters,” he said.

“As a club we are grateful the DSA has continued its fantastic work.

“Over the next few months, we will continue to work with the committee to make sure that when disabled supporters are able to return, they can do so safely and with confidence.”

The above article was originally published on the Official Swansea City Football Club website.

Thanks to everyone who took part in our Halloween mask competition.

There were some fantastic entries and we’re delighted to announce the winners – Lolah in the Junior section and Rhys in the Adult section.

Many congratulations to Lolah and Rhys, and a big thank you to everyone who took part.

The Swans DSA were awarded awarded a grant from the Community Foundation Wales Coronavirus Resilience Fund to donate food hampers to our supportive DSA members #changing lives together.

We bought food and essentials, and prepared and delivered 80 hampers to our DSA members on Saturday 11th July, from Carmarthen to Bridgend.

We were also able to help the local community, and provided a hamper to the Red Cafe food bank in the Mumbles, a local animal sanctuary who will be raffling the hamper to raise funds, and local families in need.

Our DSA committee all work hard together, and after receiving so many kind texts, emails and messages this afternoon from our delighted members, it makes us so proud that we are able to support them. And that they, too, support us.  We are often told we are “one big happy family”.

Committee members – Andrew Brayley, Michelle Preece, Malcolm Fearn, Cath Dyer, Nicola Dyer, Lee Ellery, Clare Lewis, Lesley Williams, Cath Williams and Andrew Williams.

A huge thanks must go to Diane Williams and Julian Fearn for taking loads of the hampers and delivering them to Morriston, Clydach, Manselton, Craig-cefn-parc, Ystradgynlais, Neath, Skewen, Pontardawe, Birchgrove, Llansamlet plus many more.

Thanks too, to Mair and Alan Hicks, for their help in packing the hampers.

Swansea City AFC are also very supportive of the DSA and we have a great working relationship with them.

Some of the comments received from members:

“Today an unexpected visit touched my heart. The DSA have delivered over 80 members to members and friends.” – Kev

 

“What a wonderful gesture in uncertain times.i am sure it brought smiles and comfort to many, it is pleasing that despite growing year on year the DSA has not forgotten the reason it exists in the first place and that is to represent and look after the disabled fans.” – Ian

 

“I feel so humbled and proud that I am part of the DSA.” – Roger

 

“What a wonderful thing to do for DSA members.” – Julie

 

“We have just received the beautiful hamper.” – Helen

 

“The gift from the DSA has been uplifting.” – Alf

 

“Thank you for being thoughtful and generous.” – Roger

 

“Thank you for the gift, my special friends.” – Noreen

If you would like to learn more about the Swansea City AFC Disabled Supporters’ Association or would like to become a member, then please contact us.

The Swans DSA recently ran a Colouring Competition for its Junior Members to design a ‘Stay Safe/Stay Home Rainbow’ poster.

A big thank you to everyone who got involved and well done to all of our winners, who are listed below, together with their fantastic entries.

In first place for our 10 – 16 year old category was Chloe.
Joint runners up in the 10 – 16 year old category were Callie and Ellie-Mae.

The winner of our 6-10 year old category was Jack.

In joint 1st in our Under 6s category are Lolah and Willow.

The DSA committee are still in touch with each other, and we, too, are obviously disappointed that we were unable to support Level Playing Fields’ weeks of action, along with our end of season event, but….we had to ensure the safety of everyone.

Thank you all for your continued support, and please remember that we are here for you.

Right – We would like our DSA members to think about their favourite Swans memory – be it a game, meeting a player, travelling to an away game, coming to a DSA event, ANYTHING – and if you would like, right a short little paragraph and include a photo if you so wish.

Send all details to secswandsa@gmail.com

We would be interested in putting them on our Swansea City DSA Facebook page  – just to have some happy posts at present.

We would obviously need your permission for this, especially if children are interested in writing something – which we will encourage.