Charity collaboration highlights Community Heroes

Our Fosters Solicitors Community Heroes for December are Debbie Wright and Hope Rogers, chosen by Big C Cancer Charity and the Community Sports Foundation.

The two charities have recently teamed up to launch a joint fundraising event for 2025; the 150-Mile Challenge.

Starting on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 in King’s Lynn, Richard Pearce of Barclays Wealth, Canaries legend Grant Holt, and Adam Miller from Arc Group will lead a 150-mile journey around the north of the county, walking day and night until they arrive back on the Carrow Road pitch, when Norwich City take on Portsmouth on Friday, April 18.

To make this event as inclusive as possible, the two charities are encouraging people to complete their own 150 miles throughout February and March 2025 by signing up to the Virtual 150 Mile Challenge. Whether you prefer walking, running, cycling or even swimming, the focus is to achieve the 150 miles in your own way. Participants will be supported by both charities with virtual check-ins and the option of local meet-ups.

For the Norwich City Community Hero award, both charities were keen to highlight a person who has not only supported them through fundraising but also been a key part of why they do what they do.

Debbie Wright, nominated by Big C, is a long-term volunteer with the charity’s walking football sessions and has become a vital part of the group.

Tom Holmes, events and engagement manager at the charity, said: “Debbie has a wonderful way of putting people at ease and her experience as a healthcare professional is invaluable, as she is comfortable with situations that may otherwise be overwhelming.

“We’re so grateful for Debbie’s dedication to the charity; she turns up rain or shine with a smile on her face and is always prepared to go the extra mile to help people.”

On being nominated, she said: “I am so proud to be part of an amazing group of people and Big C charity. 

“Football and people are my passion and the Tackle Cancer Walking Football ticks both boxes; I get to meet up with some amazing, inspirational people and have an excuse to kick a football around all morning.

“It really is a great group to volunteer with.”

The second Community hero nomination comes from the Community Sports Foundation, who were keen to highlight Hope Rogers, one of their most passionate fundraisers and a Realising Potential participant.

Shane Brown, inclusion manager at the Foundation said: “Hope embodies everything the Community Sports Foundation stands for; dedication, resilience, and a passion for giving back.

“Not only does she thrive as a participant in our Realising Potential programme, but over the last year she has gone above and beyond to support others. 

“She has volunteered at our fundraising events as well as undertaking her own fundraising to support the Foundation’s work in the community.

“Hope’s selfless commitment makes a real difference to our Foundation and the wider community. She truly inspires us all.” 

Speaking to Hope’s mum, she said: “This means everything to Hope as The Foundation has been a part of her life for a very long time.   

“She has developed so much thanks to them and she would be lost without the team and the programmes there.

“She calls the Community Sports Foundation ‘her happy place’.” 

About our Community Hero initiative

Since 2019, Fosters Solicitors have joined our partners Norwich City Football Club in highlighting the great work of local individuals and organisations in our community.

Every month during the football season, a ‘Community Hero’ is chosen for a selected matchday – providing an opportunity to showcase that person(s) or initiatives selfless work or important community campaign.

Previous Community Heroes have included young carers, veterans, equality campaigners, charity fundraisers and their beneficiaries.

 Would you like to nominate a Community Hero this season? Please go to canaries.co.uk/club/heroes to tell us all about them!