News

Alton FC Announce Cardiac Rehab as Official Charity Partner 2025/26

26 Aug 2025

Alton Football Club has chosen The Basingstoke and Alton Cardiac Rehabilitation Charity as their first ever Official Charity Partner, for the 2025/26 football season.

Also known as Cardiac Rehab, the Alton-based charity is celebrating 50 years supporting the health and wellbeing of local people with heart disease. With a dedicated exercise centre in Chawton Park Road, they also provide rehab for cancer patients, pulmonary disease and long-COVID.

Carl Saunders, Chairman of Alton Football Club, commented: “We are delighted that Cardiac Rehab will be our first ever Official Charity Partner. Throughout this season we’ll be encouraging our players, coaches, members and supporters to raise funds for this fantastic local charity who have helped local people back to health through exercise for 50 years.”

Cardiac Rehab provides specialist programmes for those with, or at risk of developing, heart disease, helping them lengthen their lives and improve wellbeing through a mix of exercise, education and peer support. When the charity began in 1976, they were the one of the first dedicated community-based cardiac rehabilitation units in the UK. Since moving into their own purpose-built building in 1997 they have extended their programmes to provide rehab for cancer, pulmonary disease and long-COVID.

Sarah Quarterman CEO of Cardiac Rehab said: “This charity partnership with Alton Football Club will help us raise awareness and vital funds to support our work. We are closely aligned with the NHS, and receive referrals from local doctors and clinicians, but we are not funded by the NHS and so rely on fundraising to keep costs down for our exercisers. We provide over 60 hours of classes and circuit-based sessions each week. Every penny raised or donated during this season will be used to help more local people lengthen their healthy lives and improve wellbeing.”

"Row to Wembley" - A Fun Fundraising Launch Event!

Denise Ellis, Centre Manager at Cardiac Rehab has been working closely with the club to plan the charity partnership, which is launching with a special fundraising event on Saturday 13th September.

Denise said: "I’m excited to confirm that we’re launching the partnership with a great challenge – a “Row to Wembley”! We will be at Alton FC’s stadium in Anstey Park on Saturday 13th September, from 9am to 5pm. We’re challenging players, families and anyone from the local community to help us row the 60km distance between the club’s ground and Wembley Stadium! We’ll have a marquee covering two of our rowing machines at the club and we’ll be collecting donations from the rowers and those cheering them on! Alton’s teams will be playing matches on the pitch throughout the day, with the Men’s First Team in league action kicking off at 3pm. It promises to be a great day of fun and community spirit. Anyone can get involved!"