Kicking off 2024 charity fundraising calendar with historic football tournament launch

The Orphanage Cup is bringing together teams from business across the region to compete in a knock out football tournament, with the final taking place on the AFC Darwen pitch on June 22nd.

The tournament has been running since 1932 when the Orphanage Cup competition started life as the Infirmary Cup – local businessman Sir John Rutherford Bart donated the trophy still used today to Blackburn Royal Infirmary to be competed for by football teams from local mills and workshops.

Following WW2 when the NHS was established the 11-a-side cup competition sort to raise money for Blackburn Orphanage. Over time, Blackburn Orphanage evolved into Child Action Northwest (CANW), but the Orphanage Cup remained and became a genuine North-West footballing institution!

We’re delighted to have SENCAT ltd sponsor our tournament this year and feel honoured to have them in our corner.

Managing Director of SENCAT, Chris didn’t think twice when the opportunity was put in front of him to give back to a local charity. Entering a team into the tournament, hoping to have a successful first appearance in the prestigious tournament.

This year’s competition; ran collaboratively by Child Action Northwest (CANW) and Lancashire Football Association launched at the Lancashire FA headquarters. Businesses from across the region were welcomed to the launch to find out more about the genuine North-West footballing institution over breakfast. The much anticipated LIVE draw also decided which of the 32 businesses will line up against one another when games kick off in mid-April.

Approved fixtures can be seen if you scroll to the bottom of the page.

A huge thank you to the Lancashire Football Association, for their guidance and support and also each business that signed up to participate in this year’s exciting tournament.

Georgia Murphy, Fundraising & Events Lead of CANW commented:

“The Orphanage Cup offers businesses a fantastic team building opportunity, and it’s a brilliant way to engage with colleagues outside of work in a fun and competitive environment.

Businesses are also increasingly searching for a way in which they can directly support good causes within the communities most local to them – the Orphanage Cup gives local businesses the chance to score in both of these areas.”