St Helens-born Conor Coady is the latest football superstar to become an ambassador for Football for Change UK.

The Wolves’ captain has joined his England teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold to back the initiative which supports disadvantaged young people in communities facing social and economic challenges.

The England centre-back, who started his career at Liverpool, says the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has made challenges facing young people even tougher and says is determined to help.

Football for Change UK was launched earlier this year by Trent Alexander-Arnold, Everton midfielder Anthony Gordon and Liverpool FC legend Jamie Carragher. It is backed by business leaders including Ian Donaldson, CEO of Swinton Insurance.

The scheme, which kicks off in 2021 with a variety of major fundraising events, will distribute grants to organisations supporting young people of school leaving age in the most deprived areas of the North West with a focus on education, employment and training.

Football for Change UK will also use football stars involved and business leaders, who have succeeded in the face of adversity, as role models to promote social mobility.

Giving his support to Football for Change UK, Conor Coady, said:

“Football for Change offers young people who’ve grown up in challenging circumstances the hope of a better future. The impact of the recent pandemic has made these challenges even greater so this initiative is more important than ever. I’m pleased to be giving Football for Change my support. It will make a real difference.”

At the launch of Football for Change in August, Trent Alexander-Arnold, said:

“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. It is a brilliant initiative and I know from growing up in Liverpool that it is needed now more than ever. ”

Everton’s Anthony Gordon added:

“I am proud to join the other players, using our platform, to help this brilliant initiative change lives for the better. We’re all aiming to give young people from disadvantaged communities a platform towards a brighter future.”

Commenting on the launch of Football for Change UK, Ian Donaldson, CEO of Atlanta Group and chair of the initiative, said:

“Football for Change is special. It is a unique and powerful 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.

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Our aim is to help them overcome the social and economic challenges they face to build better futures. Having personally experienced a tough upbringing in Stoke-on-Trent, the aims of Football for Change are particularly close to my heart. I am incredibly proud to have helped launch this initiative and I am delighted that Swinton is playing a major role as founding partner.”

Football for Change UK’s official fundraising gala launch will take place next year.

The organisation is inviting other business leaders to take part by click here. Football for Change UK is on Twitter @FTBLforchange and Instagram @FTBLforchange.

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