Shooters FC to host fundraiser to help girl, nine battling leukaemia

Lindsay Mahoney is the club administrator for Shooters FC, and alongside other parents, she is calling on the help of residents.

The club will be hosting a fundraising event for nine-year-old Zara Kundra, who's brother Sammy plays for the team. 

Lindsay said: "Zara was first diagnosed with leukaemia in October 2019 and went into remission in May 2020. She then relapsed in March 2022. She fought and waited bravely for a bone marrow transplant which she received in June 2022.

"It’s been a long hard journey for Zara, Sammy and their family but they are all amazing. Zara is still in hospital since her transplant but as you can see from the photos she always has a smile on her face.

"At Shooters FC we have decided to raise funds for Zara and her family and the Anthony Nolan Trust."

The Anthony Nolan Trust is a UK charity that works in the areas of leukaemia and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Shooters FC first started in the 09/10 season playing local football and whilst national participation was decreasing, the club experienced steady growth and now has links with adult teams and also started to explore other sports with the introduction of netball, tennis and links to Wherwell Cricket Club.

They welcome players from age five and has teams participating on a Saturday in the Testway Youth league or on Sunday in the Peter Houseman Youth league.

The team will be hosting the event at the Chineham Village Club in Basingstoke on Saturday, November 19 from 11.30am.

She added: "The kids in the team will be doing sponsored football activities, some of the brave dads/brothers etc will be doing sponsored body waxing along with other little stalls and games. 

"We have also been approaching businesses big and small and so many have been so generous in donating gifts for our raffle."

To show your support to the team and Zara, residents are being encouraged to sign up at anthonynolan.org.