Busy Ben Is Making It His Mission To Help End Child Poverty

Dad of two Ben Gerring added doing his bit to help end child poverty to his life list this December.

The Woking central defender has never been scared putting in a challenge on the pitch, and he sure isn’t pulling out of this one any time soon.

The 29-year-old witnessed what Marcus Rashford has been doing and thought it’s high time this end of football played its part.

He wants to unite clubs, supporters, players and volunteers to that little bit more - and there are so many different ways in which they can climb on board.

Ben says he is stunned at the number of families struggling to pay for schools meals, as well as serving up food on their old tables.

Non-League Football vs Child Poverty is growing by the hour - and so many clubs are already helping.

Opening their doors to those in need as well and help to distribute and hampers and gifts, monument is growing by the day.

Players up and down the country are joining the crusade, too.

The no-nonsense centre-back takes no prisoners from set pieces, so there is little wiggle room for comprise in his incredible campaign.

Ben told us: “I was on the train heading to pick up a car for work and I started reading more into Marcus Rashford’s struggle to get his voice heard.

“The father in me just perked up and it hit home that this can’t be right. There has got to be more we can do - especially directly within football.

“I see the blood, sweat and tears that go into this level of the game and see the fantastic clubs and fantastic communities. Add in the fantastic people you have working within them and I knew we could get something started.

“It’s a fight that needs addressing, this is on all our doorsteps. We went for it and the response has been incredible.”

Ben has lost count of the clubs who have come forward to offer support.

His own side Woking are working hard, while Torquay United and Dover Athletic - two other of his former sides - have come forward with squad members proudly taking the bull by the horns.

Weymouth and Maidenhead United have been “incredible” while Notts County’s ever growing involvement is understandable, Nottingham is the largest area in the country without a food bank.

Jake Howells at Hemel Hempstead Town has also stepped up to the plate and helped deliver over 30 food hampers within the local community.

But we have seen nothing yet, the Cards formidable centre-back says.

Ben adds: “It’s only just the start. We’re rolling with it and the message is simple - every single club can play a part.

“We have had an unbelievable response and we want everyone to be involved as Non-League football has a massive part to play.

“Here’s why. Around 98 per cent of the messages from people in need we get are from women.

“Men, in general, are not coming forward and we need them to. We really need to be comfortable asking for support if they need it.

“Will a local football club opening its doors for a few hours with a welcoming environment help that? I really and truly think it will.

“This is not just for Christmas - the community is growing and this is an crisis we can all tackle together. It’s what makes football at this level what it is.”

His manager Alan Dowson joked: "Ben has done very well - I think he maybe thought he was going to make a late run for Sports Personality of the Year!

"We've all had a whip round and so have the fans. It makes us proud. We have a kind bunch of players here, they will always dig in if you ask them.

"That is the type of club we want to be, players who have a drink with fans in the bar after the game and lads who say hello to the clearers when they start work.

Ben wants to hear from anyone who can make a difference by joining the Facebook group Non-League Against Child Poverty.

PHOTOS BY DAVID HOLMES & PINNACLE