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.