The Michael Carrick Foundation has launched its second Newcastle based project in partnership with the club where Michael’s footballing talents were first recognised.
The Michael Carrick Foundation has committed to support the club for the next three years by providing a capacity building grant to help the Wallsend Boys Club to capitalise on recent facility developments and offer sustainable projects for young people to engage in. The club is growing significantly and needs support to develop local partnerships, raise funds and develop commercial opportunities so that it can continue to provide a safe space for young boys and girls into the future.
Wallsend Boys Club is a registered charity working to give young people a chance to harness their potential, develop their football skills and raise their aspirations. The clubs runs a variety of youth sessions throughout the borough of North Tyneside for boys and girls aged between six and nineteen years of age. The club works to teach young people the skills, respect and discipline, needed to become positive contributing members of society giving them a sense of pride, raising their self esteem and a sense of belonging to something great.
Michael said “You never forget your roots. I was very lucky as a child growing up to be part of Wallsend Boys Club; the start of my footballing journey, the home of my community, my team. The boys club was more than football, it was a place to be a kid, to hang out, play pool and meet my friends. To be able to contribute something back to the community means a lot to me. I have so many great memories from the boys club. It played a major part in me developing as a footballer, but more importantly as a person”.
The Foundation is delighted to be able to work with the boys club and help them develop an enhanced offer to their community, a space where girls and boys and their families have the facilities, support and inspiration to thrive.
Steve Dale, Chairman of Wallsend Boys‘ Club, said “The Club and it’s Volunteers are always delighted when one of our ex-Players wants to give something back out of gratitude for the role the Club played in their lives during their formative years. Michael has always been a great ambassador for the Club and a real credit to his parents. We are all looking forward to welcoming him back to where it all began.”
Michael’s testimonial raised an incredible £1.5m for his registered charity which will work with local organisations already delivering best practice within the sport, education and youth engagement sectors to deliver sustainable projects that keep children safe.
For more information about the Michael Carrick Foundation: www.michaelcarrickfoundation.org info@michaelcarrickfoundation.org
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For more information about Wallsend Boys Club contact: www.wallsendboysclub.com wallsendboysclub@gmail.com