Everton star André Gomes and Gary Lineker back new ‘Football For Change’ to help young people from disadvantaged communities

The Football superstars become the latest to join forces with Premier League stars and business leaders to promote opportunities for young people who have been affected by the pandemic Everton midfielder André Gomes and BBC sports pundit, Gary Lineker, have pledged to become ambassadors to the new Football For Change initiative which will work to promote opportunities for young people from challenged communities. The pair will join Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jamie Carragher, Leeds United’s Jack Harrison and Wolves captain Conor Coady as ambassadors for the charitable initiative. Football for Change will kick off this year with a variety of major fundraising events including a gala launch dinner planned for November in Liverpool. It will distribute grants to organisations supporting young people, in the most deprived areas of the country, with a focus on helping them into education, employment and training.

André Gomes said:
“As professional football players and worldwide known figures, we must be role models to society. Through Football For Change, we can make a difference in young people’s lives, supporting them in their social, educational and sportive paths. With this platform, youngsters from challenged communities will be given the fundamental tools to prepare themselves for a brighter future. I’m truly happy to be part of this initiative and I hope that we can be an example to those kids that dream and aim to be better.”

Gary Lineker said:
“Football for Change is a great example of footballers working together to help young people in some of the most socially and economically challenged neighbourhoods in the country. The pandemic has hit young people particularly hard so this initiative, which is working to deliver opportunities in education and employment, is needed more than ever. I am proud to support it.”

The initiative is being chaired by Swinton Insurance CEO, Ian Donaldson, who says:
“Football for Change is special. It is a unique and powerful collaboration between sports stars and business leaders who have come together to help young people who are facing hardship in some of the most disadvantaged communities in the country. Our aim is to help them overcome the social and economic challenges they face to build better futures. Having personally experienced a tough upbringing, the aims of Football for Change are particularly close to my heart. I am incredibly proud to have helped launch this initiative and I am delighted that Swinton is playing a major role as founding partner. I am delighted that Jack Harrison is now part of it.”

Steven Gerrard to help kids in poverty through Football For Change initiative

Title-winning Rangers manager Steven Gerrard supports Football For Change in order to improve the lives of young people living in poverty

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has joined a number of football superstars in backing an initiative to give disadvantaged young people a fairer chance in life. The Rangers manager 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.

Anfield icon Gerrard explained that young people living in poverty face difficulties in building towards a better life but such issues often remain unseen. And the title-winning ‘Gers boss has put his name to Football For Change, which is sponsored by Swinton Insurance, in a major effort to help opportunities arise for young people. “The Covid-19 pandemic has made the lives of so many young people who were already struggling even worse,” Gerrard said.
“The Football for Change initiative will give them opportunities in education and training so they can build towards a better life – people often don’t see how difficult that can be.

“I am proud to support it.”
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 Covid-19 with opportunities decimated during the pandemic. Gerrard has joined fellow Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher in supporting the initiative while the likes of Reds superstar Trent Alexander-Arnold, Everton midfield maestro André Gomes and Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Conor Coady have all backed Football For Change too. Manchester United great Gary Neville, Everton icon and pundit Gary Lineker, Leeds United winger Jack Harrison, Blues starlet Anthony Gordon and Goodison legend Neville Southall have also joined together to help launch the important social project.

Football For Change is planning a gala dinner for November with a number of high-profile sports stars in attendance. The scheme will distribute grants to organisations supporting young people in the most deprived areas with a focus on education, employment and training. Football for Change UK will also use football stars involved and business leaders, who have succeeded in the face of adversity, as role models to promote social mobility.

Conor Coady joins Trent Alexander-Arnold to
back Football For Change

Wolves captain Conor Coady has joined Liverpool superstar Trent Alexander-Arnold in supporting an initiative to help disadvantaged young people called Football For Change. The England centre-back, born in St Helens, is aiming to promote opportunities for young people in communities facing social and economic challenges who have also been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Coady, who started his career at Liverpool, says the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has made challenges facing young people even tougher and says is determined to help. Football for Change UK was launched earlier this year by Trent Alexander-Arnold, Everton midfielder Anthony Gordon and Liverpool FC legend Jamie Carragher. It is backed by business leaders including Ian Donaldson, CEO of Swinton Insurance. The scheme, which kicks off in 2021 with a variety of major fundraising events, will distribute grants to organisations supporting young people of school leaving age in the most deprived areas of the north west with a focus on education, employment and training. Football for Change UK will also use football stars involved and business leaders, who have succeeded in the face of adversity, as role models to promote social mobility.

Giving his support to Football for Change UK, Conor Coady, said:
“Football for Change offers young people who’ve grown up in challenging circumstances the hope of a better future. The impact of the recent pandemic has made these challenges even greater so this initiative is more important than ever. I’m pleased to be giving Football for Change my support. It will make a real difference.”

At the launch of Football for Change in August, Trent Alexander-Arnold, said:
“Football for Change is about helping young people onto a positive path. It is footballers and football fans coming together with a goal to help improve the life chances and opportunities of young people from some of the most challenged neighbourhoods in the country. It is a brilliant initiative and I know from growing up in Liverpool that it is needed now more than ever. “

Everton’s Anthony Gordon added:
“I am proud to join the other players, using our platform, to help this brilliant initiative change lives for the better. We’re all aiming to give young people from disadvantaged communities a platform towards a brighter future.” Commenting on the launch of Football for Change UK, Ian Donaldson, CEO of Atlanta Group and chair of the initiative, said: “Football for Change is special. It is a unique and powerful collaboration between sports stars and business leaders who have come together to help young people who are facing hardship in some of the most disadvantaged communities in the country. Our aim is to help them overcome the social and economic challenges they face to build better futures. Having personally experienced a tough upbringing in Stoke-on-Trent, the aims of Football for Change are particularly close to my heart. I am incredibly proud to have helped launch this initiative and I am delighted that Swinton is playing a major role as founding partner.”

Football for Change UK’s official fundraising gala launch will take place next year.

Trent Alexander-Arnold shortlisted for
prestigious award for Football for Change

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been shortlisted for a major award for his involvement with the recently launched Football for Change initiative. The Liverpool right-back has been nominated for a HSBC UK Ethnicity Award for his work to support young people from disadvantaged communities on Merseyside. He was part of a number of football stars including Everton’s Anthony Gordon and Jamie Carragher to launch the charitable initiative, which seeks to break down social and economic barriers preventing young people achieving their potential, in August. The annual Ethnicity Awards awards, launched to coincide with the start of Black History Month, recognise Black and minority ethnic role models. This year’s shortlist includes an array of inspirational celebrities and public figures. Alexander-Arnold is shortlisted in the Sports Personality category alongside Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford who has been nominated for his work with the charity FareShare UK. Boxing champion Anthony Joshua and racing driver Lewis Hamilton are also in the running for accolades. Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling won an Ethnicity Award in 2019 for his campaigning work against racism.

Ethnicity Awards founder, Sarah Garrett MBE, said:
“Trent Alexander Arnold is incredibly deserving of his place on the 2020 Ethnicity Awards shortlist. He is a fantastic sports role model and has used his platform to shine a light on issues facing young people facing real social challenges in some of the poorest parts of the country. All of those nominated have done important work to advance equality and promote opportunity for all against the backdrop of the international Black Lives Matter . It has been a pivotal and poignant year for people from racially diverse backgrounds. These awards are about celebrating their achievements.” The public can vote for Ethnicity Award winners at www.ethnicityawards.com

TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD, JAMIE CARRAGHER AND ANTHONY
GORDON TEAM UP TO LAUNCH FOOTBALL FOR CHANGE UK

Liverpool FC superstar Trent Alexander-Arnold, Everton midfielder Anthony Gordon, and Reds legend Jamie Carragher have teamed up to give their backing to a new initiative to promote opportunities for young people from disadvantaged communities. Football for Change, sponsored by Swinton Insurance, brings together sports stars and business leaders in a collaborative effort to support young people who are not in education, employment or training and talented young people in challenged communities who “face barriers to achieving their full potential”. The initiative has been set up by Ian Donaldson, CEO of Atlanta Group, Daniel Hughes, founder of PR agency This Generation and backed by the football stars. Through a variety of major fundraising activities, Football for Change will distribute grants to organisations supporting young people in the most deprived areas of the north west with a particular focus on supporting them into education, employment and training. It will also offer support to talented young people who face economic and social barriers to fulfilling their potential. Football for Change will also use football stars involved and business leaders, who have succeeded in the face of adversity, as role models to promote social mobility. Trent, Anthony and Jamie all grew up in communities facing deprivation, poor levels of educational attainment and high levels of youth unemployment. They say they want to do what they can to improve the life chances of young people facing these challenges.

Trent Alexander-Arnold said:
“Football for Change is about helping young people onto a positive path. It is footballers and football fans coming together with a goal to help improve the life chances and opportunities of young people from some of the most challenged neighbourhoods in the country. It is a brilliant initiative and I know from growing up in Liverpool that it is needed now more than ever. “
Jamie Carragher said:
“Football for Change can change lives by giving young people, who’ve often felt left out or left behind, a fair chance in life. It is all about giving them the tools to do something positive whether that be in education, employment or in sport.”

Commenting on the launch of Football for Change, Ian Donaldson, CEO of Atlanta Group and chair of the initiative, said:
“Football for Change is special. It is a unique and powerful collaboration between sports stars and business leaders who have come together to help young people who are facing hardship in some of the most disadvantaged communities in the country. Our aim is to help them overcome the social and economic challenges they face to build better futures. Having personally experienced a tough upbringing in Stoke-on-Trent, the aims of Football for Change are particularly close to my heart. I am incredibly proud to have helped launch this initiative and I am delighted that Swinton is playing a major role as founding partner.”

Football for Change’s official fundraising gala launch will take place in February next year.

Gary Neville to help young people in poverty as
Jamie Carragher supports ‘levelling playing field’

Gary Neville has joined forces with a host of football stars to give disadvantaged young people a new chance in life through an initiative called Football For Change.

The Manchester United legend has been joined by the likes of Liverpool greats Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard, pundit Gary Lineker, Reds right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, Everton midfielder André Gomes and Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Connor Coady in backing the plan.

Football For Change 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.

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 Covid-19 with opportunities also decimated during the pandemic.

“Too many young people from socially and economically challenged communities face a real struggle to reach their potential,” Neville said.

“The situation has been exacerbated by the pandemic and Football for Change is about giving these young people a platform towards a better future. It is an incredible initiative with an important goal to change lives for the better.”

Indeed, young people were hit hardest by rising unemployment during the Covid pandemic, with those under the age of 35 accounting for almost 80% of jobs lost in the past year nationally and official figures showing youth long-term unemployment has hit a five-year high, with more than 200,000 under 25s out of work for more than six months.

Carragher added: “Football for Change can change lives by giving young people, who’ve often felt left out or left behind, a fair chance in life.

“It is all about giving them the tools to do something positive whether that be in education, employment or in sport.”

Football For Change will help those aiming to return to education, employment or training through a variety of fundraising activities.

The initiative is sponsored by Swinton Insurance and brings together business leaders and footballers in a collaborative effort to support young people in challenged communities who face barriers to achieving their full potential.

Leeds United star Jack Harrison backs Football For Change to help young people from disadvantaged communities

Jack Harrison is lending his support to a new initiative that aims to promote opportunities for young people from disadvantaged communities.

The winger, who has just signed permanently for Leeds United and was instrumental to the club in securing promotion to the Premier League last season, has joined a roster of Premier League players and football legends backing Football for Change UK.

BBC sports pundit Gary Lineker, Liverpool’s Trent Alexander Arnold and Wolves captain Conor Coady are involved in the charitable project which supports disadvantaged young people in communities facing social and economic challenges.

The initiative, which is also backed by the likes of Steven Gerrard, Gary Lineker and Jamie Carragher, will kick off this year with a variety of major fundraising events including a gala launch dinner planned for October.

Football For Change will distribute grants to organisations supporting young people, in the most deprived areas of the country, with a focus on helping them into education, employment and training.

Jack Harrison said: “Football For Change is a fantastic initiative that will do tremendous work to improve the lives of young people, in some of the most disadvantaged communities in the UK. I am proud to lend my support to it. The impact of the pandemic means that it is needed now more than ever.”

The initiative is being chaired by Swinton Insurance CEO Ian Donaldson.

The businessman added: “Football for Change is special. It is a unique and powerful collaboration between sports stars and business leaders who have come together to help young people who are facing hardship in some of the most disadvantaged communities in the country.

“Our aim is to help them overcome the social and economic challenges they face to build better futures. Having personally experienced a tough upbringing, the aims of Football for Change are particularly close to my heart.

“I am incredibly proud to have helped launch this initiative and I am delighted that Swinton is playing a major role as founding partner. I am delighted that Jack Harrison is now part of it.”

Everton legend Neville Southall backs Football For Change initiative to help disadvantaged young people

Everton legend Neville Southall has backed a new initiative called Football For Change, which is aiming to provide opportunities for the most disadvantaged young people in the UK.

The former goalkeeper, who made a club record 751 appearances for the Blues, believes the football stars and business leaders joining together to support this charitable project “have the power to change lives”.

The likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady and Andre Gomes have all backed Football For Change while legends such as Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have also thrown their support behind the initiative alongside Gary Neville and Gary Lineker.

The initiative is bringing together football 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.

Southall said: “I am proud to support Football For Change which is aiming to make a huge difference to the lives of young people who are growing up in poverty and those facing social and economic problems.

“The footballers and business leaders coming together for this have the power to change lives for the better.”

Football For Change, 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 Covid-19 with opportunities decimated during the pandemic.

The charity will distribute grants to organisations supporting young people, in the most deprived areas of the country, with a focus on helping them into education, employment and training.

It kicks off this year with a variety of major fundraising events including a gala launch dinner planned for October.