Saturday 14th March saw the great launch event for our Crowdfunding campaign (http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/parisyouth/). Clapton Ultras, the supporters group for Forest Gate football team Clapton FC, planned and ran an amazing Football vs. Homophobia match against Basildon complete with rainbow flares, flags, and some awesome pies!

During the game money was raised by selling the aforementioned pies, a fanzine produced by the supporters group, and by shaking a rather large bucket. These proceeds have all been donated to our ‘Paris‘ group, the only support for Newham’s LGBT Youth. Some of our Paris members went along to cheer on the team. Youth work manager, Dawn, said

This, for many, was the first time they had attended a football match and they really enjoyed the chanting against homophobia led by the Clapton Ultras. After the match, The Clapton FC players met their fans and had pictures taken with the rainbow flag. There’s a really  great atmosphere and  community spirit at the ground.”

After coming from 2-3 down, the Clapton Ultras managed to show awesome determination to steal a result of 4-3!