SPEEDWAY: LAKESIDE Hammers speedway team have announced their new charity.

The club’s Community Programme is declaring 2014 as the year “When Every Point Counts!” Its new regional charity for the year will be Little Havens Hospice.

Little Havens Hospice is set in beautiful woodland near Thundersley, Essex and cares for children with life-limiting conditions, and their families, throughout the journey of their illness.

The charity receives limited government funding and is not part of the NHS. Little Havens needs £50,000 per week to provide the care and services that are required.

The new relationship has been formed with the assistance of Hammers friends, and associate sponsors, Skidmarques Ltd (www.skidmarquesltd.com) who are pledging to donate £1 to Little Havens Hospice for every race point that the Hammers score throughout the 2014 season. Skidmarques have also donated their space on the Hammers 2014 race suits, official wear and merchandise to Little Havens Hospice to help maximise awareness of the charity.

In addition, and to boost support for the cause, Hammers are inviting their fans and partners to join Skidmarques’ initiative by donating one penny for every race point that the team score. Peter Hall, Community Fundraiser for Little Havens Hospice, said: “On behalf of the children and families we care for, I would like to thank all the riders, staff and supporters of Lakeside Hammers Speedway Team for their support of Little Havens Hospice over the coming racing season. The donations that we receive will be making every day count for local children and families from Thurrock and across the whole county affected by serious illness.”

Twitter: #makingeverypointcount