Forever Reds, Liverpool FC’s Official Former Players Association, have donated £75,000 to three local charities.
Alder Hey Children’s Charity, Alzheimer’s Society, and Zoe’s Place have each received a £25,000 donation from the Association as they continue to support the local Merseyside community.
Hosting annual fundraising events, such as the forthcoming Forever Reds Golf Day and the Forever Reds Christmas Lunch, the Association works with closely with the LFC Foundation, and raises money for both former players in need and for local charities.
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Forever Reds was created to ensure former players always feel part of the LFC family, providing support, involving them in important work in the local community, and keeping them informed of new developments across the club.
Last December, a number of Liverpool legends, including Steven Gerrard, Alan Hansen, John Barnes, Phil Thompson, and Ian Rush were all in attendance at Anfield for the latest Forever Reds Christmas lunch as over £37,000 was raised for charity courtesy of the live auction.
Such funds have now contributed to Forever Reds’ latest donations, with Alder Hey Children’s Charity, Alzheimer’s Society, and Zoe’s Place the beneficiaries of their fundraising.
And Chairman of Forever Reds, Liverpool legend and ECHO columnist John Aldridge, recently met with all three beneficiaries to present them with their donation and hear more about the vital work they do.
“We’re incredibly proud to be able to host events which raise money for the right reasons,” Aldridge said. “ Seeing first-hand the work all three charities do was incredible. I know the money will be put to good use and make a difference.
“Chairing Forever Reds is hugely important to me and I’m proud to represent the former players who will forever be a part of the LFC family. Thank you to everyone who has donated to Forever Reds or attended events like the Christmas Lunch, your support means everything. I’m delighted to now put this money back into the local community.”
Tracey Wilson, Head of Philanthropy, Alder Hey Children’s Charity said “On behalf of everyone at Alder Hey thank you to the Forever Reds for your kind donation. Our new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit puts our tiniest patients and their families at the centre of care.
“This generous gift will fund a state-of-the-art Giraffe Omnibed incubator and comfortable furnishings for a parent’s room. Our work wouldn’t be possible without your support and commitment.”
Barry Lyon, Alzheimer’s Society’s North West Local Services Manager, commented: “A third of us will develop dementia in our lifetimes. We at Alzheimer’s Society vow to help as many people affected by dementia as possible, but we can’t do it without the generous support from our partners.
“We’re so grateful to Forever Reds for their amazing £25,000 donation. This money will go directly towards local dementia support services in Liverpool.
“It was an absolute pleasure meeting John Aldridge, and we were touched that he took such a keen interest in our work and spent lots of time chatting with Fran, a massive Reds fan who’s living with dementia.
“Alzheimer’s Society’s support services are a lifeline. They help people through some of the hardest and most frightening times. Thanks to this donation, we will be able to reach even more of the 32,000 people living with dementia across Liverpool.”
Meanwhile, Gina Earnshaw, Corporate and Major Donor Fundraiser at Zoe’s Place, added: “At Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice, we are lucky enough to be involved with the LFC Foundation, this partnership brings so many opportunities to both the families who attend the hospice, and the growth of Zoe’s Place itself.
“We are so grateful to have now received such a generous donation from Forever Reds, this will provide the funding of our play specialists salary for the year.
"Our play specialist uses techniques that help our babies achieve developmental goals, and to understand and ease past trauma from their complex conditions, as well as supporting siblings through play.”
To find out more about the work all three charities do, please follow the below links:
To find out more about the work LFC does in the community via Forever Reds and the Foundation click here https://foundation.liverpoolfc.com/
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