Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards has joined a number of football superstars in backing an initiative to give disadvantaged young people a fairer chance in life.
The former Man City star is supporting Football For Change, which is bringing together sports stars and business leaders to help young people get into education or find employment opportunities, as well as helping others from challenged communities who face barriers unlocking their full potential.
Etihad icon Richards explained that he believes that by working together with football stars, business leaders and leading PR firm ThisGeneration Communications (TGC), “we can improve the lives of young people in need.”
And the Premier League title winner has put his name to FFC, which is sponsored by Swinton Insurance, in a major effort to help opportunities arise for young people.
He said: “I’m delighted to support Football for Change who help continue delivering projects that are already supporting disadvantaged young people in our society to change their lives for the better.
“Football for Change is making a tangible difference and despite only launching in 2020, I am proud to lend my support to an initiative providing real change on a wide scale.
“I wholeheartedly believe that together, we can improve the lives of young people in need.
“With the everyday struggles young people face in disadvantaged areas, Football for Change is offering immediate and extensive support with opportunities in education and employment to ensure nobody is left behind.
“It is no coincidence major leaders in business and football are lending their support to this and I am happy to help continue spreading the message.
“The more lives we can change, the better.”
The charitable initiative, which is being chaired by Atlanta Group CEO Ian Donaldson, is needed now more than ever due to the amount of disadvantaged young people who have seen any chance of a better life further torn from their grasp due to the effects of the cost-of-living crisis leading on from the Covid-19 pandemic which have decimated opportunities.
Richards has joined fellow Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher in supporting the initiative while the likes of Liverpool superstar Trent Alexander-Arnold, Borussia Dortmund hero Jude Bellingham and Lioness legend Beth Mead have all backed Football For Change too.
Manchester United great Gary Neville, Everton stars Conor Coady and Toni Duggan, plus pundit Gary Lineker and Tottenham striker Lucas Moura have also joined together to help launch the important social project.
The football superstars helped raise more than £350,000 for Football For Change at a star-studded gala in Manchester this year after a headline performance from Oasis legend Noel Gallagher.
The gala at Emirates Old Trafford also saw celebrities including Melanie C perform for the charitable initiative. Guests included an array of big name footballers as well as TV personalities such as Vernon Kay, Jason Manford and Coleen Rooney.
Carragher, the chairman of Football for Change, spoke to the room about his ambitions for the charity and the pride he has in seeing the movement develop at a rapid pace.
Football for Change has already sent 40 disadvantaged young people to the United States of America for a sports and education visit and is building an education hub in Bootle. It has also helped homeless youngsters back into work and accommodation in Glasgow.