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Luxury Travel

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Luxury Travel

Five charities using football for good

It’s hard to imagine a sport with greater appeal than football, not just in the UK but across the world. And with such an appeal, the beautiful game can make significant and lasting improvements to underprivileged people – here are five charities that are doing just that.

This is a feature from Issue 13 of Charitable Traveller. Click to read more from this issue.

1. Football Beyond Borders

With a mission to help socioeconomically disadvantaged young people who are passionate about football but disengaged at school, Football Beyond Borders works to help them finish school and gain the skills and grades they need for a successful transition into adulthood. Over 2,000 young people are currently taking part in a FBB multi-award-winning programme, which is recognised by Sport England, the FA and the University of Sussex, and 95 per cent of FBB’s young people finished the year in school.

footballbeyondborders.org

2. Soccer Aid for UNICEF

An annual football match running since 2006, Soccer Aid is not your everyday kick about. Created by Robbie Williams, it’s become the world’s biggest celebrity football match and pitches England against the Soccer Aid World XI FC, which in 2022 saw Liam Payne captaining the England Team and Usain Bolt handing over the captaincy to Ukrainian football manager Andriy Shevchenko. The event raised over £15 million for UNICEF – details about 2023’s event will be released early in the new year.

socceraid.org.uk

3. Football for Humanity

Helping children facing the threat of abuse, exploitation or violence, Football For Humanity uses football-focused interventions to tackle these complex social issues. For example, it builds five-a-side pitches, so children have a safe place to play and learn, and runs UK-based projects to help refugees and people seeking asylum to integrate into society through sport.

footballforhumanity.org.uk

4. Football Without Borders

Established before the war in Ukraine broke out but now focused on supporting its refugees, Football Without Borders’ aim is to create football camps for children and young people in a variety of cities, from Barcelona to Warsaw. The camps will offer hope, identity and enjoyment in a safe environment, ex and current Ukrainian international footballers will attend sessions, and there’ll be activities for all the children affected. Donations go towards helping these young people feel more at home, wherever they are.

footballwithoutborders.org

5. Free Kicks Foundation

The Free Kicks Foundation provides ill, bereaved and disadvantaged children with a day they’ll never forget. Working with football clubs across the UK since 2007, the Free Kicks Foundation has made it possible for over 1,000 young people to attend matches and meet their favourite teams. As Team Mascot for the day, they get to go behind the scenes, meet the players, and lead the team out ahead of kick-off.

freekicksfoundation.org

1. Football Beyond Borders

With a mission to help socioeconomically disadvantaged young people who are passionate about football but disengaged at school, Football Beyond Borders works to help them finish school and gain the skills and grades they need for a successful transition into adulthood. Over 2,000 young people are currently taking part in a FBB multi-award-winning programme, which is recognised by Sport England, the FA and the University of Sussex, and 95 per cent of FBB’s young people finished the year in school.

footballbeyondborders.org

2. Soccer Aid for UNICEF

An annual football match running since 2006, Soccer Aid is not your everyday kick about. Created by Robbie Williams, it’s become the world’s biggest celebrity football match and pitches England against the Soccer Aid World XI FC, which in 2022 saw Liam Payne captaining the England Team and Usain Bolt handing over the captaincy to Ukrainian football manager Andriy Shevchenko. The event raised over £15 million for UNICEF – details about 2023’s event will be released early in the new year.

socceraid.org.uk

3. Football for Humanity

Helping children facing the threat of abuse, exploitation or violence, Football For Humanity uses football-focused interventions to tackle these complex social issues. For example, it builds five-a-side pitches, so children have a safe place to play and learn, and runs UK-based projects to help refugees and people seeking asylum integrate into society through sport.

footballforhumanity.org.uk

4. Football Without Borders

Established before the war in Ukraine broke out but now focused on supporting its refugees, Football Without Borders’ aim is to create football camps for children and young people in a variety of cities, from Barcelona to Warsaw. The camps will offer hope, identity and enjoyment in a safe environment, ex and current Ukrainian international footballers will attend sessions, and there’ll be activities for all the children affected. Donations go towards helping these young people feel more at home, wherever they are.

footballwithoutborders.org

5. Free Kicks Foundation

The Free Kicks Foundation provides ill, bereaved and disadvantaged children with a day they’ll never forget. Working with football clubs across the UK since 2007, the Free Kicks Foundation has made it possible for over 1,000 young people to attend matches and meet their favourite teams. As Team Mascot for the day, they get to go behind the scenes, meet the players, and lead the team out ahead of kick-off.

freekicksfoundation.org