Local causes combating the COVID-19 coronavirus will be among the beneficiaries of a groundbreaking new online auction set up by Club Doncaster.
Staff from Rovers, Dons and the Belles, along with head coaches Darren Moore, Richard Horne and Andy Butler as well as the first team squads have come together to create a number of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for supporters to raise valuable funds for the club and charitable causes.
In addition to supporting the clubs through this difficult time, funds raised from the auction will also benefit the efforts to combat the coronavirus in Doncaster as well as supporting the Club Doncaster Foundation.
Rovers first team manager Darren Moore said: “This is a difficult time for everyone and while there is certainly more to life than our beautiful game, not having football to serve as a welcome distraction is affecting us all.
“The players are absolutely itching to help in any way they can, and after discussions among the first-team and staff at the club we wanted to provide some really special experiences that supporters can bid for.
“The hope is that with the funds raised we can alleviate some of the financial burden that the club is currently facing, but also support some of the frontline efforts to combat the coronavirus in Doncaster.”
The once-in-a-lifetime opportunities are unique in the football world with packages ranging from the opportunity to sign a one-year contract with Rovers and officially become a member of the first team squad, to travelling with the team to an away fixture on the team bus, taking part in the pre match warm up and watching the game from the substitutes bench.
Club Doncaster chief executive Gavin Baldwin said: “The world of football is facing an unprecedented situation and we are all adapting to the ever changing challenges before us.
“The desire from our first team playing staff is to accommodate these opportunities with the aim of raising funds to help the club through a very tricky period, but also to support the fight against COVID-19 in the area is testament to their character and says a lot about the spirit here at Club Doncaster.
“We are very excited to share these once in a lifetime opportunities with our supporters and look forward to seeing how the auction fares.”
This new initiative is the latest in a range of measures the club has taken to support the local community amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including staff making phone calls to isolated supporters and inviting foodbank donations.
For more information on the packages contact commercial@clubdoncaster.co.uk, or click here to look at the options and place a bid.