Newcastle United fans and Jamie Reuben have been praised for their partnership as they close in on breaking a fundraising landmark for the NUFC Fans Foodbank. The home clash against Wolves this Friday could see the £100,000 barrier broken thanks to the supporters’ donations.
Just over £48,000 has been collected by volunteers on match-days, and that total has been matched by The Reuben Foundation - meaning the charity is just a few thousand pounds away from collecting a six-figure sum in just six months. Breaking that total could come just a day after the anniversary of the takeover backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, and led by Reuben and Amanda Staveley.
The potential of £100,000 has left volunteers of the foodbank humbled. Bill Corcoran, a well-known figure of the foodbank admits it doesn't quite feel real.
“You say it, and I think that can't be right but it is,” he told Chronicle Live. “It's not even including the money we took from the start of the season up until the takeover in October.
“In a year where it has been up and down for a lot of people - the news is all bad, it's a bit of shining star in a dark night sky that us, as fans, in conjunction with the club are helping people who desperately need it.
“Every single Newcastle United fan who has given up 10p or £10 or given us food, should be praised for their generosity and thoughts for others. This hasn't come at a time of prosperity. It has come at a time of crisis - when people are worried about their jobs and their bills and coming back from COVID, but the incredible generosity that we've seen for more than five years now just keeps on coming, it really is incredible.
“There are not enough words to thank those fans, the average man and woman, and the club and Jamie Reuben too - his gesture has made such a difference. I want to thank him for everything he has done for the food bank.”
Reuben announced shortly after the takeover that his foundation would be matching every single home-match donation for the rest of the season. He then visited the volunteers in the build-up to Eddie Howe’s first game - the 3-3 draw with Brentford.
The foundation’s gesture has helped the West End Foodbank - of which the NUFC Fans Foodbank is an offshoot - plan for months ahead, instead of week-by-week. With the cost of living rising and the number of people visiting the foodbank also on the increase, the offer to match the donations have been much needed.
“It gives us security at a time when it matters the most,” Corcoran added, “This has given us a level of security that allows us to plan for whatever comes at us in the months ahead. We've had challenges, we're going to have challenges - a summer of no football, the winter - but Jamie Reuben's donation has given us a safety net. It's a very precious commodity.
“It's comforting to know there's a man who agrees with us on the importance that the community is fed. We're very happy with what he has done, we are immensely grateful to him for helping us out.
“The gesture though is only as good as the fans who donated in the first place because if we had collected nothing, then double of nothing is nothing, and that doesn't feed families.
“The fact is that we have seen a huge increase in donations since the takeover which we think reflects the mood around Newcastle United, people are now able to feel good about supporting their club for the first time in many years.
“Jamie has double that contribution but we have to remember that contribution - from the fans - is the most we've ever had in one season. “Whatever happens, this is a record-breaking season for us.”
The money raised this season has meant the impact of not having a home game for more than a month was not felt as hard as it may have previously been. Yet the demand for the foodbank - even before the cost of living crisis began - was at record highs.
Figures from the West End Foodbank from April 2021 to February 2022 noted that 38,500 have used the foodbank in that time with 14,700 of those, children living in poor and low-income households with 6,500 families supported. And despite the money raised by donations from the general public, £66,000 was needed to address the shortfall in food donations.
Given the current economic situation, Corcoran is left in awe that so many people continue to support the most vulnerable in the community. “We're overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone in the Newcastle United family.
“The foodbank all the way long has been about community and unity - the people as ever have shown they are the greatest fans in the world because they believe in all those things.
"We also know the message is getting through to the boardroom and to the players, and we are really grateful for that because this has to be a united approach against hunger and isolation. We need to stick together through the tough times.
“Whichever division we are in, whatever the wealth of our owners, the standards of the players in the pitch - it doesn't matter, this is Newcastle, we stick together and look after one other, and that will always be the same.”
With another sell-out at St James’ Park this Friday, the hope is that the tally not only smashes the £100,000 mark but also comes with a donation of Easter Eggs to ensure the youngsters who rely on the foodbank can have one. “Standing on the pavement before games and seeing this generosity of Newcastle Fans - it is the privilege of my life.
“We've got three home matches coming, we know the people will be there and they will help us out. Those donations are the difference between someone eating or going hungry - these people have nowhere left to turn, they would starve without you.”
