DAGENHAM, Essex, May 7, 2009 - A Thames Gateway community scheme, which uses football to help tackle social issues, has benefitted from a further £15,000 from Ford.
The Thames Gateway Youth Football Project has received a total of £245,000 from the UK car and commercial vehicle market leader's charitable arm over the last nine years.
The project uses football as a positive influence to raise the standards, life skills and expectations of young people from eight London boroughs. They benefit from the Project's educational and sporting opportunities such as drop-in football sessions on east London estates, healthy living programmes, courses leading to Football Association-recognised coaching qualifications and after-school soccer clubs.
This year's £15,000 donation is from the Ford Britain Trust, which provides grants to fund local education and other not-for-profit projects. The cheque was handed over at the recent Dagenham and Redbridge vs. Bradford City football match.
Dagenham and Redbridge, along with Charlton Football Club, is one of two London soccer clubs providing professional coaching and guidance to the five to 24-year-olds helped by the Thames Gateway Youth Football Project. Millwall is also a partner in the scheme.
Presenting the cheque, Derek Saxby, Ford engineering and construction manager, said: “This project plays a key role in the community. It enables youngsters to play sport in a fun and safe environment and to work towards coaching qualifications and employment. We are delighted to support the scheme and to assist with its continued success.”
Ophelia Soares, project manager of the Thames Gateway Youth Football Project, said: “We are tremendously grateful to the Ford Britain Trust for their support. They are enabling us to make a real difference to the lives of young people across east London.”
Ford has a significant presence in the Thames Gateway including the Dagenham plant, employing almost 4,000 people, and the Dunton Technical Centre near Basildon, home to 3,000 engineers.
Ford manager Derek Saxby, (fourth left) leads the £15,000 donation to Thames Gateway Youth Football Project.