(1888PressRelease)
August 24, 2007 - Ambassadors in Sport, a UK Charity, is to use SpecialistAuctions.com to run online auctions for them to support a 24 hour marathon football match at The Beckham Academy on 7th and 8th September 2007.
Match for a day is a unique football fundraiser. It’s a 24 hour football marathon at Europe’s premier indoor facility, The David Beckham Academy, where AIS will play 24 different teams with the aim of raising £50,000 for three special causes.
On the Ambassadors in Sport team will be ex-England and Manchester United star, Lee Sharpe who said, “Having seen the work of Ambassadors in Sport first hand in South Africa, it gives me pleasure to be part of this programme.”
In the UK they work with young people in Hackney, Bromley, Hemel Hempstead, Newham, Islington and Muswell Hill. There are also coach education programmes in Watford. Overseas they work with orphans in South Africa, children in Indonesian refugee campsand street children in Brazil. AIS believe that every child matters, every child has the right to play and to enjoy themselves and that every child deserves hope for a better tomorrow.
“Very often the normality of sports is the most important thing a child needs…”
- Carol Bellamy, UNICEF
Where is the money going?
Project One - Hope FC, London
Hope FC works with to break the cycle of crime and gang culture. Ambassadors in Sport has formed a partnership with the Hackney Young Offending Team to meet these problems through Hope FC. AIS challenges behaviour and provide an alternative leading to coaching qualifications.
Tim, 17, was expelled from school and had been in trouble with the police. When he arrived at the Hope FC, his self confidence was at rock bottom. He struggled to communicate and was frequently aggressive. He now has Level 1 coaching badge and a Community Sports Leaders award. He has just been selected to play with Wycombe Wanderers!
Project Two – South East Asia
When the Tsunami hit South East Asia in December 2005, Ambassadors in Sport took a team to the children’s refugee camps in Aceh, northern Indonesia. Since 2005 AIS have travelled to Thailand and Indonesia following up this initial work and at the end of this year, are setting up a new office in this region of the world.
Project Three - Hope Academies in South Africa
Mark Slassenger is Director of Hope Academies, South Africa. He has been working in Pollsmore prison, one of the worst in Africa. In 2004 John Kahakhaza, was serving a sentence for murder. John was notorious for his bad behaviour; he loved soccer and asked to join the team.
Mark told us, “We give everyone a chance so we welcomed him into the Academy. He started to listen, his attitude improved. He became a different person becoming Vice Captain and is now a role model for the younger boys.”
The online charity auction will run from 2nd to 9th September 2007 and is being hosted by SpecialistAuctions.com. Donations and supporting the auctions will enable AIS to develop their programmes and help more young people.
