Actor Alun Armstrong and Olympic gold medal winner Sophie Hosking joined community groups from Merton borough at the launch of AFC Wimbledon’s charitable last week.

The foundation aims to build on the success of the Dons’ community work since the club was formed in 2002.

With a new executive director having been appointed to spearhead the charity foundation, AFC Wimbledon will strive to increase its community work still further.

Long-time Dons supporter Alun Armstrong, who starred in BBC drama New Tricks, is a patron of the foundation.

He said: “The list of community activities undertaken by AFC Wimbledon is varied and I was staggered by how long this list is.

“We hope to extend this further in the coming years. It is an aspect of the club that is dear to my heart.

“My three boys went to school in Wandsworth and I took them to Plough Lane to see Wimbledon play. It was a fantastic atmosphere at the ground.”

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

Launch day: Marie Miller and Warren Palmer join Andy O'Brian, an outreach worker at High Path Community Resource Centre, on the stage

He added: “I am a Wimbledon fan who has watched the extraordinary story of AFC Wimbledon unfold with the club getting back into the Football League in just nine years.

“AFC Wimbledon is unlike many other professional clubs because it’s totally owned by its supporters. Not only are we committed to our community, we are owned by our community.”