Last season, fans united to support their club and their fellow fans, and the Rams Family Fund was created – a place to donate to purchase match tickets for those who might not otherwise be able to attend games.

This season the fund is back in place, but several fans have stepped the generosity up even further.

Derby County Community Trust were contacted by fans Simon Hedley and Martyn Frost, who living abroad, wanted to support their club, and also help others in the process.

This led to the purchase of four community season tickets, which are being used by participants at Derby County Community Trust, along with those accessing services at Treetops Hospice.

Lifelong fan Simon Hedley spoke to us about the idea of buying season tickets for community use. He said:

“We felt helpless watching our great club struggle financially and wanted to give support in gratitude of all the incredible pleasure and emotion we have derived from Derby County since the 1970s.

“As I live in South of France and Martyn in California we are unable to make many games. By buying season tickets we would financially support our beloved Derby, and also provide a great experience to people who were otherwise unable to get to games.

“We both fully understand the benefit of having something special to look forward to at the end of a week and Pride Park gives that. My mum, a very active 90-year-old, gets so much from her season ticket and the Golden Rams initiative, the benefit that giving season tickets to the elderly, bereaved or vulnerable can have is massive.”

Fellow supporter Martyn Shore, added:

“I will always be indebted to the Treetops organisation for taking care of my Dad when he was in their care, and I really appreciated the times my family went to see the Rams during that difficult time. Hopefully this will help give others an escape for the afternoon to go and see their beloved club.

“If you are in a position to help both the community and the club in any small way, this is a great thing to do.”

These tickets will be distributed by Derby County Community Trust and Treetops Hospice on a match-by-match basis, but the Trust welcome open applications to tickets available through the Rams Family Fund.

The Trust were also approached by another overseas fan, Zakir Patel of Barbados, who again, wanted to provide an opportunity to a deserving fan to watch their team, and generously donated the funds to purchase a season ticket.

Daniel Warren, an attendee of our men’s mental health programme Team Talk, was the worthy recipient, and now has his ticket for the 2022-23 season, along with his mum receiving a carer’s ticket from the football club.

The sentiment shared by all three kind donators was that being able to help others whilst backing their club was the best way to materialise their support when attending regular matches isn’t an option.

We welcome any other fans’ kind contributions, either directly through the Rams Family Fund, or if you have a more specific idea, please get in touch at [email protected].