OUR 125 Appeal has received a huge boost thanks to the support of Newport County FC.

The football club has pledged to donate £1,000 to the appeal from its FA Community Shield fund.

The FA Community Shield raises hundreds of thousands of pounds every year which is then distributed among clubs to support community based initiatives and charities in their area.

The funds are raised through a combination of tickets sales and match programmes.

This year St David’s Hospice Care has been chosen as Charity Partner by the club.

Club secretary, and the head of operations, Alex Tunbridge said: “We are happy to be working with the Argus and doing our part to support the 125 Appeal and St David’s Hospice who are one of the club’s chosen charities for the season. We are delighted to support a valuable local cause.”

As well as the donation, there will be a special bucket collection at Rodney Parade on Saturday, March 18, before the game against Blackpool.

Fundraisers will be there raising money for the appeal as well as supporting the home team.

The 125 Appeal celebrates the Argus’ 125 birthday by raising money to support St David’s Hospice Care. The money raised will help the charity to continue to support the 3,200 patients and families they provide services to every year.

This comes at a cost of over £7.5 million a year, so the services they provide cannot continue without the support of the communities they support.

Adrian Hadley, Deputy CEO at St David’s Hospice Care said: “We would like to thank Newport County’s staff and their supporters for their support of the 125 Argus appeal and in turn St David’s Hospice Care.

“As a Newport based charity it is wonderful to be supported by our local Football League team. I would like to wish them the best of luck against Blackpool and for the remainder of the season.”

There are lots of ways you can get involved in the 125 Appeal. You can organise a fundraising event or put yourself forward for a 125 themed challenge. We are appealing for teams of people to join us and get fundraising for this worthwhile charity.

During the coming weeks we will share fundraising stories from across the region.

You can find out more and register your event at http://stdavidshospicecare.org/event-details/125-appeal/

You can text to donate £5 to the 125 Appeal by texting ARGUS 125 to 70500 or donations of any amount can be made online at justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/sdf/SWArgus125