NSPCC receives support from young Liverpool FC stars for Childhood Day

Players from Liverpool FC’s youth team have given their support to the NSPCC’s Childhood Day event with a series of special videos to encourage young people in sport.

The NSPCC Childhood Day is the charity’s flagship fundraising and awareness raising event, and young players Elijah Gift, Josh Davidson, Cody Pennington and Francis Gyimah have all appeared in videos answering Childhood Day-related questions and talking about their childhoods.

All the players said that playing for Liverpool FC under-18s team still has a magical and fun element to it.

Cody Pennington said that a child who gets picked last for a team should use it as “fuel” and not to worry too much about it. Josh echoed this, saying it’s not about being picked first or last, it’s the taking part that counts.

Francis said that if he wasn’t a footballer, he would probably become a musician, such as a drummer, guitarist or pianist. For Elijah, his favourite non-football activity as a child was swimming. He also said playing football is still fun, even though it is now his job.

As part of Childhood Day, the NSPCC in Liverpool will open the doors of its base, the Hargreaves Centre, on Thursday June 8^th. Visitors can find out more about the NSPCC’s work at the Great Homer Street building, including Childline, Talk PANTS and Look Say Sing Play.

Members of the Liverpool FC Academy will visit the open day to speak to local schoolchildren about their experiences with the club.

This year, the charity has launched the Childhood Day Mile as a new, fun way to raise money and support the NSPCC’s vital work.

Participants are encouraged to think of unique ways to walk, wheel, run, or hop a mile alone or in teams, with suggestions including doing a three-legged walk, spacehoppering the distance, dressing up as a childhood hero or planning the route around local landmarks.

Clare Crabb, North West Assistant Director for the NSPCC, said:

“Liverpool FC is one of the biggest teams in the world, so to have their support is amazing. The Childhood Day Mile is a great and fun way to raise money for the NSPCC, which allows us to continue our child protection work.

“To see the players have some fun and get involved is incredible. We’re also looking forward to welcoming the public to our base on Thursday to show off the incredible work the NSPCC team in Liverpool does.

“If you want to enjoy some coffee and cake and have a look around our wonderful building – all while finding out about how we support children and families across the region – please pay us a visit.”

Matt Parish, LFC Foundation Chief Executive, said: “We are proud to work alongside NSPCC to support local children and young people and collectively strive to make both our city and wider society a safer place.

“It’s fantastic to see our young Academy players sharing their experiences for NSPCC’s  Childhood Day as their messages will no doubt resonate with many young people.”

To find out more about Childhood Day, visit the NSPCC website here.