Liverpool legends Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher to reunite for special lunch hosted by Alastair Campbell

Football for Change is an initiative which allows footballers business leaders to help support underprivileged young people in the UK.

Liverpool legends Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher are reuniting for a special lunch in aid of Football For Change. 

Former Reds captains Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher are coming together in March to take part in a noteworthy Q+A hosted by Burnley fan, broadcaster and ex-Tony Blair spokesman Alistair Campbell – showing their love for each other after Gerrard joked last month that Neville, who is also a strong Football For Change supporter, had stolen his best friend.

They will join up at a VIP event in support of the new but already very successful charity Football For Change, which is headline sponsored by Swinton Insurance and aims to help NEET (not in education, employment or training) young people affected by poverty. 

This is the second major fundraising event organised by the social mobility movement, after the inaugural gala dinner last year – which was attended by music legend and die-hard Celtic fan Sir Rod Stewart – raised £250,000 in order to help underprivileged young people find employment and education opportunities.

Pictures – Football for Change

Aston Villa manager Gerrard said:

“Football For Change is a really important initiative and a big opportunity for footballers and business leaders to come together in order to make a massive difference – especially here in Merseyside and the North West but hopefully beyond too.

“There are so many young people growing up in poverty and the positions we’re in, as sportsmen, footballers and business people that have achieved success, we have a great opportunity with Football For Change to make a real difference.”

The event next month is set to have a very special music performance take place and an international star flying in to take part in the Q+A.

Football For Change co-chairman Carragher said:

“I am immensely proud to be involved with this charity because there are too many young people who don’t get the same opportunities as others and we are aiming to bridge that gap while helping struggling young people get into education and employment.

“Of course, we are only at the beginning of our work but the future looks very bright thanks to the support from footballers and business leaders we have received. Our event in March should be fantastic.”

Ardonagh Retail CEO Ian Donaldson is also chairing the life-changing Football For Change project, which was launched last year by Liverpool and England star Trent Alexander-Arnold and Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Conor Coady in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Other footballers who are involved in the initiative include Tottenham striker Lucas Moura, Everton frontman Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Leeds United midfielder Jack Harrison while Everton attacker Toni Duggan is also a keen supporter, as are Gary Neville and Gary Lineker.

Mr Donaldson said:

“It’s fantastic to see all of these footballers working to give back in support of disadvantaged young people across our communities by backing Football For Change. 

“This is a powerful collaboration between footballers and business leaders and together we are aiming to make a real difference.”

“The event with Carragher, Gerrard and Alistair Campbell next month will be incredible.”

Leading UK health company DAM Health are also sponsoring Football For Change. 

The company’s clinical director, Frank Joseph, said: “DAM Health is proud to join businesses from across our region as a major backer of Football For Change. We are looking forward to working with the football players involved to give young people facing social and economic disadvantages a platform towards building brighter futures.”

For more information about Football for Change please visit the website here or contact josh@footballforchange.org.uk.