THANKS to the Community Shield, Walsall Football Club have handed a welcome financial boost to three local charities.

Profits from the Community Shield, the annual fixture is played at Wembley between the Premier League Champions and FA Cup winners as a curtain-raiser to the new season, are allocated to charitable causes.

Part of this money is allocated to Premier League and Football League clubs who have the opportunity to nominate three local charities to receive donations.

Walsall FC received £2,000 to distribute and have decided to award £700 to Walsall Hospice, £650 to Pleck Amateur Boxing Club and £650 to Wyrley Juniors FC.

The three organisations were invited as guests of the club to Saturday's League One encounter with Hartlepool where cheques were presented to Terry Robshaw from Walsall Hospice (above right), Bob Hall from Pleck Amateur Boxing Club (below 1) and Keith Hardy of Wyrley Juniors FC (below 2).