Sports Connections Foundation (SCF), the children’s charity that uses sport to inspire and transform the lives of young people, has this week welcomed three new ambassadors – Wycombe Wanderers forward Alex Samuel, Ipswich Town winger Gwion Edwards and pro ice-skating coach and dancing on ice winner Zoia Birmingham. As ambassadors for the charity, they will be playing a huge part in inspiring and breaking down barriers for children and young people through the charity’s various programmes.
Based in Peterborough but helping children throughout the UK and internationally, Sports Connections Foundation was set up by former professional football Junior McDougald whose vision was to use sport to inspire children and young people. The charity runs four sports-related programmes including; granting Sporting Wishes for children facing life-threatening illnesses, and helping to create positive exit routes for those facing mental health struggles, social isolation and economic deprivation through the Inspire Through Sport mentoring. The addition of three new professional athletes as ambassadors will give the charity an immense boost through helping raise the charity’s profile and enabling the charity to raise valuable funds to ultimately transform the lives of more children and young people.
Income and Engagement Manager Karen Olden said: “The charity is thrilled to be working with three incredible athletes. A lot of our work is around building confidence and self-esteem in young people and motivating them to pursue their dreams, so having three new ambassadors with inspiring stories really complements what we do. We’re so grateful for the help and support we get from our ambassadors and it’s amazing to have Alex, Gwion and Zoia on board. It will make such a difference to the children and young people we work with.”
Quotes from the ambassadors
Alex Samuel said: “I am super excited to become an ambassador for Sports Connections Foundation. I look forward to using my experience and my connections to inspire children and encouraging them to achieve their dreams. Giving children living with life limiting illnesses, or those who live in poverty an opportunity to make their dreams come true, is extremely rewarding. It is a big passion of mine to see these children happy and without the hard work of Sport Connections Foundation it wouldn’t be possible.”
Gwion Edwards said: “I’ve always wanted to do more to help out in the community and be involved in inspiring and supporting children and young people. I remember what it was like being a kid, dreaming of being a professional footballer, so to be able to give back and give children a chance to realise their dreams and become inspired is incredibly fulfilling. I look forward working on the different programmes and hopefully able to make a difference.”
Zoia Birmingham said: “I was incredibly lucky to be given lots of opportunities as a child and know first hand where these can lead. Sport has opened up lots of doors for me personally, and so partnering with a charity like Sports Connections Foundation is a perfect fit. I’m looking forward to driving awareness of the great work that the charity does, even making a difference to one child’s life is an achievement.
For further information please contact:
The Sports Connection Foundation
Karen Olden
Telephone: 0771 7174060
E-mail: karen@scfchildrenscharity.org.uk
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