Local children’s sports club, the Sheffield Wildcats, has been chosen by employees at Mondelēz International to receive a donation of £5,000.

Providing roller skating and rink hockey coaching to children aged from 5 – 16 years across the city, the club will be granted the substantial figure from The Cadbury Foundation, as part of its ‘Your Charity Your Choice’ scheme.

Sheffield Wildcats, who run sessions at the All Saints Sports Centre and Concord Sports Centre, was founded in 1981 by Howard Holmes and aims to teach children the fast, energetic sport which combines the speed of roller skating with the technical stick work of hockey.

Over the past 40 years, the club has become the largest independent junior rink hockey club in the city and experienced coaches have trained more than 600 children in the fast-paced sport.

The club currently has more than 50 child members, who pre-Covid, attended rink hockey lessons every week. The £5,000 bursary will help Sheffield Wildcats to maintain and replenish essential equipment, which will help more local youngsters to take their first steps in rink hockey.

Each year, Mondelēz International UK employees are invited to nominate charities, projects or clubs close to their hearts, with the final shortlisted charities voted for by the wider workforce.

Paul Croad, line coordinator at the Mondelēz International site in Sheffield, nominated the club to receive the £5,000 donation. Paul said: “Sheffield Wildcats delivers a fantastic scheme and brings children together to learn an exciting sport.

“For some children, the club’s weekly session is the highlight of their week, so I nominated them to receive the grant so they can continue to deliver the amazing coaching that they do for youngsters across the city.”

Keith Whitton, Chairman at Sheffield Wildcats, commented: “We’re delighted to have received this donation from The Cadbury Foundation. The generous contribution will help us to continue running the club and ultimately to get more children playing sport, being active and offering them a safe place to socialise.”

The Cadbury Foundation was set up in 1935 in recognition of Richard and George Cadbury and their investment in the welfare of their employees and the local community. Across all Mondelēz International UK sites, £55,000 will be pledged for the ‘Your Charity Your Choice’ campaign.

Kelly Farrell, community affairs manager at Mondelēz International, added: “We’re extremely proud to be able to support a number of fantastic charities and projects that are important to our employees through our ‘Your Charity Your Choice’ scheme.

“Sheffield Wildcats provides a priceless service to children of all ages in the local community, and we’re delighted to know that with The Cadbury Foundation’s help, they can continue delivering the brilliant scheme to children in the area.”