Newcastle United Foundation partner Liontrust has made a signification donation to the Foundation’s ‘#UnitedAsOne’ programme to support the delivery of key services to vulnerable participants during the current Covid-19 crisis and beyond.
The extra funding from the specialist fund management company, who are also a partner of the Foundation’s ‘Financial Football’ school numeracy programme, will fund a range of activities in the community.
320 activity packs will be distributed to the children of vulnerable families across the region, offering engaging activities to help with their physical and mental wellbeing.
The packages – which will include art and craft materials, outdoor activities, educational resources and a football kindly donated by PUMA – will be delivered to families identified by the Foundation’s partner schools who are in need of support during this challenging time. Further parcels will be sent to young people engaged with the Foundation’s YOLO project, which aims to reduce reoffending and create positive behaviour change.
Alongside the care package delivery, Liontrust’s generosity will help the Foundation continue to support job seekers in finding career opportunities during lockdown, providing self-employed participants with financial support and encouraging regular communication between Walking Footballers during this current period of self-isolation.
As part of the ‘#UnitedAsOne’ programme, the Foundation will also make a significant donation to the NUFC Fans Food Bank on behalf of Liontrust to ensure it continues to support the provision of emergency food parcels and provisions across the region.
The NUFC fans’ initiative has close links with Newcastle West End Foodbank, the largest food bank in the country. With support from the club and the Foundation, the group has gone from strength to strength and the Foundation regularly offers volunteers and support through a number of its own programme initiatives.
Head of the Newcastle United Foundation, Steve Beharall, said: “We’re very grateful to Liontrust for their contribution as we adapt to the current situation and continue helping the most vulnerable in our community.”
He added: “The aim of the activity packages is to make our children and families feel special and appreciated during an extended period of self-isolation.
“We have worked closely with our partner schools to identify the families who need our help the most and each parcel will be delivered by our Foundation staff safely to their homes, in line with current government guidelines.”
Liontrust Chief Marketing Officer, Simon Hildrey, said: “With Covid-19 taking such a terrible toll on our lives and the economy, we have sought ways to expand our support to the wider community.
“Given our successful existing partnership with Newcastle United Foundation for the Financial Football programme, we are delighted to be enhancing the support we are providing the Foundation and the local community.
“It’s fantastic that our funding can help so many people who need support at such a challenging time.”
If you would like to learn more about Newcastle United Foundation’s ‘#UnitedAsOne’ programme, please contact Sarah.Medcalf@nufc.co.uk.