Dan Hughes, the founder of Liverpool-based PR agency, ThisGeneration, has launched Football for Change UK.
It’s being supported by Swinton Insurance and backed by Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jamie Carragher and Everton midfielder Anthony Gordon.
Hughes’ hope is that it can raise money to support young people from disadvantaged communities who are not in education, employment or training.
“Football for Change is a unique 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,” explained Hughes.
“Our aim is to help them overcome the social and economic challenges they face to build better futures. We’ve got major plans for the initiative over the next twelve months and are already planning the first gala fundraising event to take place in Liverpool in early 2021.
“So many people have come together to make this happen. Not least Ian Donaldson and the brilliant team at Atlanta Group, the footballers as well names from a variety of sectors including Paul Gorst from the Liverpool Echo and Lucy Meacock from ITV. It is an exciting project which can make a real difference.”
It 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 help to talented young people who face economic and social barriers to fulfilling their potential.
“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,” said Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“It is a brilliant initiative and I know from growing up in Liverpool that it is needed now more than ever.”
Its official fundraising gala launch will take place in February next year.
