Firecracker takes us close to £14,000

But it has gone on an on, and we've already handed over in excess of £8,300 to the club to buy them a smartboard system, power weights, an ice making machine and a set of small goals. And the good news is that we have a few thousand more to buy further items for them, and Vince Overson and his team are currently determining what they would like next.

The current total is just a few pounds short of £14,000 – an incredible achievement – raised via various activities and events. The Golf Day, held in August, brought in a final total just over £1,000 and a further £800 was raised at the latest event, the Early Christmas Firecracker which was held a week last Saturday.

We'd all seen the Clarets beat Ipswich with a late goal from Chris McCann, a product of the club's youth system, and 48 of us (plus one baby) returned to Turf Moor for a superb night in the Doctor Iven Suite within the Bob Lord Stand.

It was the traditional Christmas menu for many of us, including a turkey main course and Christmas pudding to finish. We remembered our dear friend Eli who had passed away that week with some of his classic message board posts, and the entertainment was topped off by Jeff Brown, and his passionate words on Burnley Football Club earned him two standing ovations.

Raffles and auctions followed, on another great night for Clarets Mad and another hugely successful night for Year of the Youth.

We've still not set any targets, we've passed all expectations with £14,000. There will be more events and fundraisers during the remaining five months or so of the year, but for now a sincere thanks to everyone who has helped us to raise the money so far.