Emeli Sande, Vernon Kay and Mel C come together to support Football For Change

Vernon Kay will come together with Mel C and Emeli Sande this year in order to help young people hit by poverty through a new charitable initiative called Football For Change.

Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold and his England teammate Conor Coady launched the social mobility movement initiative, co-chaired by Reds legend Jamie Carragher, last year.

A number of star football players like Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, Arsenal and Lionesses striker Beth Mead plus Tottenham talisman Lucas Moura have all got involved while legends of the game like Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard, former Manchester United defender Gary Neville and BT Sport pundit Gary Lineker have all thrown their weight behind Football For Change.

Credit: Jason Roberts

The charitable initiative is aiming to lift young people from disadvantaged backgrounds out of poverty by providing life-changing opportunities in education and employment.

Global music icon Sir Rod Stewart is also a Football For Change patron, having attended its inaugural gala launch event in Liverpool last November which raised £250,000 before a Chairman’s Lunch took place in March, hosted by presenter Alastair Campbell, raised a further £100,000 for the charity as BRIT-nominated Tom Grennan performed too.

This year Football For Change, sponsored by Swinton Insurance and co-chaired by CEO Ian Donaldson, is set to bring a spectacular event to Manchester on September 22.

Hosted by TV favourite Vernon Kay, the gala dinner at Emirates Old Trafford will see songstress Emeli Sande entertain crowds with Spice Girl Mel C also taking to the stage while a Q&A will take place with two football superstars.

Football for Change

A major global icon is also set to headline the event, with organisers set to release full details around that next month.

Melanie C said:

“I am really proud to give my support to Football For Change and I am looking forward to joining all of the players and everyone else involved on the night. This is going to be an incredibly special event and I am excited to be part of it.”

Football For Change will 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.

Credit: Kathy Hutchins

Emeli Sande added:

“Football For Change is an incredible initiative and so when I was asked to be part of this special event I immediately said yes. I am looking forward to performing and giving my support to the football players involved including Trent Alexander Arnold and Jamie Carragher. It is a really worthwhile cause and I am proud to be involved.”