The Dons Local Action Group is part of the AFC Wimbledon Foundation, the Group launched in March 2020 at the beginning of lockdown. It has since become permanent and focuses on food, digital and furniture poverty. AFC Wimbledon is the largest fan-owned football club in England.
Wimbledon first entered the Football League in 1977 and were promoted to the top flight in 1986, winning the FA Cup in 1988. Having reformed in 2002, the club achieved five promotions in nine years to once again enter the league.
‘Football has a major part to play in improving our communities’ – Xavier Wiggins, co-chair of The Dons Trust and co-founder of The Dons Local Action Group
The Dons Local Action Group (DLAG) and AFC Wimbledon have joined forces to launch an innovative scheme to drive further food support for those suffering from food poverty in Merton, Wandsworth and Kingston.
From this Saturday’s home match against Oxford United and every Saturday home game thereafter, Plough Lane will not just be a football stadium. It will double up as a food collection point, to drive DLAG food stocks up and enable the group to provide even more help to those who need it. There will be collection points at every entrance and the main items requested are tinned: meat, vegetables, fish, fruit and pulses.
So far this year, 32,500 food boxes have been supplied to families in our boroughs. That is £927,000 of food and 402 metric tons.
Xavier Wiggins said: “We would like fans to see contributing food at the entrance as part of the matchday ritual. They could make such a difference to stock levels and support we can offer. Each box we supply provides 21 meals for one person. Please do all that you can”
“It is ridiculous to think that food poverty should exist so close to us and on such a scale. But it is exciting to know that we can all do something about it”.
“We encourage both home and away fans to be involved and to demonstrate simply how brilliant the football community can be”.
Joe Palmer, CEO of AFC Wimbledon adds: “The work of DLAG since last March has been phenomenal. We have players, managers and fans volunteering and have been discussing the ramping up of the support we can offer. This exciting initiative is part of that. We are so proud of the volunteers and all they have done”.
Head Coach, Mark Robinson, continues: “DLAG is part of what makes AFC Wimbledon special. I couldn’t be happier that this idea is getting off the ground. Please do all you can to make it a resounding success. We’ll all be getting involved”.
The Dons Local Action Group is always looking for volunteers. To enquire about opportunities please visit www.donslocalaction.org
Dons Local Action media information:
Xavier Wiggins, co-founder Dons Local Action, co-chair Dons Trust DLA@afcwimbledonfoundation.org.uk website: www.donslocalaction.org
Twitter: @DonsLocalAction
