MORE than 11,500 people have participated in 5,673 sessions over 33 different projects in Bolton in the last 12 months run by the Wanderers Community Trust.

Little wonder, then, that their hard work was recognised in Monday night’s North West Football Awards as Wanderers picked up the prize for Community Club of the Year.

Despite the hardships encountered at the UniBol in the last 12 months, projects have continued across the town to benefit folk from all walks of life.

The Community Trust was also instrumental in holding things together during some desperate times, at one stage setting up and managing a foodbank which ensured unpaid workers in the club and hotel would have access to vital food and resources.

Head of the Wanderers Community Trust, Phil Mason, told the Bolton News: “I’d like to say a big thankyou to everybody who put the work in, from the trustees who guided and steered the trust through some hard and difficult decisions to make sure it kept going and was able to support the club in any way it can, to the staff and volunteers who work so tirelessly in the community while there were dark storm clouds gathering.

“The award says ‘Community Club’ and it is only because of the help we get from the people who work inside the club that we are able to carry out work around the town in the name of Bolton Wanderers.

“Everyone has shown such loyalty and spirit, despite everything that was going on and I think that shows something special and unique about our club. The great thing is that the new ownership want to back that up and have made creating that sense of community central to what they want to do here.”

Wanderers chairman Sharon Brittan added: “Our community is very important to me, and my vision for how the club evolves over the coming weeks, months and years will centre on the work Phil Mason and his talented team commit themselves to.

“They are crucial to the new journey Bolton Wanderers Football Club is on and I look forward to seeing their work and how it transforms lives first-hand.”