Hello, my name is Mark McKenna, and on 03/04/26, I’ll be running my first marathon to raise vital funds for Hayden Youth Football Club in Dartford, Kent.

Why We Need Your Help

Hayden Youth has been a cornerstone for local children and young people, providing a safe and supportive environment to play football, build friendships, and develop life skills. Like many local clubs, our grass pitches often become unusable during the wet and cold winter months, leading to frequent game postponements and lost opportunities for our teams.

Our Vision: A New Artificial Grass Pitch (Planning Approved)

Great news — planning permission has now been approved for our new AGP (Artificial Grass Pitch).

This is a huge milestone for Hayden Youth and the wider Dartford community, and it means we can now move forward to the next stage: raising the funds needed to build it.

Once complete, the new facility will:

• Allow matches and training sessions to go ahead all year round

• Accommodate a variety of pitch sizes for different age groups

• Offer a reliable, safe, and modern space for players and coaches

• Support grassroots football and the wider Dartford community

How Your Donation Helps

Every contribution brings us closer to making this vision a reality. Your support will help cover construction costs, equipment, and maintenance—directly benefiting hundreds of local children and families!

A Personal Message

As someone who’s seen the positive impact Hayden Youth has on our community, I’m passionate about giving back. Running this marathon is my way of supporting the club to provide future generations with the facilities they deserve.

Football has always been a huge part of my life, and with both of my sons playing for the club, I’m incredibly grateful for the enjoyment and countless benefits they receive from playing football. This new facility will allow even more children to experience the same opportunities and joy.

We are all truly excited about the new AGP. Any amount you can donate would be greatly appreciated—you’ll be making a real difference to so many young players.

If you’d like to see the details, you can still view the approved planning application using the link below.

Planning Application Link

Thank you for considering a donation—every pound truly makes a difference!