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Student supports non-league football clubs during lockdown
A business student at South Essex College is reaching out to help non-league football clubs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ben Piper won the college’s version of ‘Dragons’ Den’ last year with his business where he buys and sells football memorabilia.
He is now using his venture to help non-league clubs in need during the coronavirus crisis.
Ben’s venture began when he sourced items from car boot sales and charity shops. Now he works with football clubs and manufactures across the UK.
Ben has worked closely with Chester City FC selling the club’s memorabilia, often buying in bulk to sell the items individually. He has now decided to donate 5% from the sales of Chester City FC goods back to the club, and is reaching out to other non-league clubs offering to sell items on his eBay store.
The 18-year-old from Rayleigh said non-league clubs were being hit particularly hard as many do not have online stores and rely on their stadium shops to sell goods, which are obviously closed owing to the pandemic.
He added: “Nobody really knows how expensive it is to run a football club and in non-league there are no millionaire owners. Currently I am reaching out to all non-league clubs to offer my support, this may include me buying in bulk from them or offering them to sell items on my eBay store as some of them don’t have online stores.
“My message to every football supporter is there are more leagues other than the Premier League, and remember there are hundreds of English teams struggling to keep their heads above water at the moment.”
You can view Ben’s eBay store here www.ebay.co.uk/usr/originalfootballmemorabilia-1
To contact Ben, email benpiper2002@gmail.com
Success stories
I would recommend South Essex College because I feel it is a judgement-free zone and you can express yourself through the freedom they give you. I enjoy the college environment and the accessibility to resources.
Business & Logistics student of the year, Chloe Wade, has not only used her time at South Essex College to boost her skills, but help others too.
The 17-year-old, from Stanford-le-Hope, helped raise more than £1,600 for Great Ormond Street Hospital at a charity event she organised alongside fellow classmates. She was also crowned joint winner of the college’s ‘Who Wants to be an Entrepreneur’ competition, where she presented her idea for a sustainable, 100% biodegradable wheat straw phone case.
She was nominated by her tutors for the award for ‘really making the most of every opportunity presented to her this year.’
Her nomination citation read: “She is excelling in all aspects of her study programme and is reliable, committed and a pure delight to have in the class. She is supportive of her peers and is intrinsically motivated to improve her attainment and employability to give herself the best opportunity of being successful in her future career.”
Chloe said she was delighted to win the award.
She said: “I am very grateful for all of the advice and help that my tutors have given me. I am happy with the work I produce and always make sure everything is up to a high standard.
“I would recommend South Essex College because I feel it is a judgement-free zone and you can express yourself through the freedom they give you. I enjoy the college environment and the accessibility to resources.”
Chloe is now progressing on to an apprenticeship in digital marketing for an events and festival company and continues to pursue her dream of becoming an entrepreneur and work in digital marketing.
