Ex-TOWIE star, Mark Wright, comedian Russell Howard and Great British Bake Off presenter Matt Lucas are joining forces to help young people hit by poverty by hosting a gala dinner for charity.
The celebs will be hosting a fundraising gala this November with the aim of raising £250,000 for Football For Change.
The charity was set up in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic, as an increasing number of young people missed out on opportunities in education and employment, with those from disadvantaged backgrounds being disproportionately affected.
Little Britain star Matt Lucas has spoken of the positive impact that Football For Change can have on those growing up in tough environments, commenting that “there are more young people now growing up in desperate situations across the UK than ever before.
“More families – including those in work – are struggling to provide, and life chances for all the young people involved are severely limited, so the benefits and impact Football For Change will have is absolutely massive.”
“Football For Change will show young people how to make a better life for themselves by following the right sort of pathways as others have done.”
The funds raised from the star-studded event will allow Football For Change to 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.
The charity was first launched earlier in the year by Premier icons Conor Coady, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jamie Carragher.
Former England international and host of Match of the Day, Gary Lineker, says the charity shows how players can work together for a worthy cause.
“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,”
Lineker added: “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.”
For information about how you can attend the gala dinner or get involved, visit the Football For Change website.
