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Football For Change Celebrates Five Years of Giving
On Friday, the Community Foundation for Merseyside team joined our partners, Football For Change, for their fifth Fundraising Gala. Since 2021, through its annual gala and a series of fundraising events, Football For Change has raised £1.5 million to support projects breaking down the barriers facing disadvantaged young people across the region.
Each year, the gala brings together footballers, entertainers and business leaders for a night to remember, all dedicated to supporting young people in poverty. This year’s event featured an exceptional line-up of performers including Boy George and Culture Club and Ella Henderson, with Paddy McGuinness providing plenty of laughs as host.
Launched by footballers including Jamie Carragher, Conor Coady and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Football For Change focuses on improving access to education, sport and training. The fund is delivered in partnership with the Communities Foundation for Lancashire and Merseyside and supports young people facing difficult life circumstances by providing barrier-breaking opportunities in some of the country’s most disadvantaged communities.
The movement continues to attract significant backing from across the sporting world. Jude Bellingham, Beth Mead, Gary Neville, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jack Grealish, Steven Gerrard and Gary Lineker have all shown their support, while Sir Rod Stewart serves as Patron and remains a champion of the cause.
Reflecting on the gala, Jamie Carragher, Chair of Football For Change, said:
“When you see icons like Boy George and Ella Henderson joining us, along with so many footballers and supporters, it shows how far the annual Football For Change Gala has come. This is one night in the annual calendar that footballers, business and celebrities come together to change young lives. This is about giving young people who’ve had tough starts in life the chance to build better futures. This Gala is not just a night to celebrate what we’ve achieved—but to go further and do even more.
Jamie Carragher, Chair of Football For Change
Proceeds from the event will continue to support existing Football For Change programmes as well as new projects aimed at breaking down barriers and expanding opportunities for young people across the UK.