Portsmouth, Hampshire – 21 March 2014 – Affinion International Print Services has helped a Portsmouth community project to the finishing line by winning a regional award in the Football League Awards 2014.
Central to Pompey in the Community’s submission for the awards – which celebrates excellence within Football League clubs and culminated in a gala event in London – was a match day football programme for children produced and sold by pupils from local schools.
Called the PUP (Play Up Pompey) programme, between 500 and a 1,000 copies are printed for every match and have become a ‘must-read’ experience for youngsters at the League 2 Club’s home fixtures in the 2014 season.
As part of its community commitment and sponsorship of Pompey in the Community, Affinion International Print Services has played a key role in the development of the widely-acclaimed educational initiative. Pupils have the opportunity to interview footballers, create their own challenges and write their own editorial as part of the project. Affinion’s backing includes printing the programmes free of charge, with all sale proceeds going back into the charity, Pompey in the Community.
Pompey in the Community was the South West Region winner in the Football League Awards Community Club of the Year judged by experts from the industry and media. A total of 36 clubs were shortlisted for 17 awards.
Greg Howford, Director of Affinion International’s Data and Capture and Fulfilment, said: “The PUP programme has been an unqualified success and something that the children really enjoy being part of. It raises the aspiration levels and helps towards the children’s schoolwork and academic grades in the future. Netting this regional award recognises the efforts of so many people for an initiative where we’re putting something back into the local area where the majority of our 500 staff and their families live anyway.”
Clare Martin, Chief Executive of Pompey in the Community, said: “Affinion International Print Services has been a fabulous supporter in so many ways over the past few years, providing all kinds of practical and financial support. And, of course, Affinion prints the PUP programme that has been so well received by Pompey fans, both young and old!”
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Further information from Colin Harding, of Shaw Communications,
telephone 01344 761208, mobile 07730 435400