Liverpool and Scotland defender Andrew Robertson is helping to change the lives of hundreds of children through his charity, AR26.
The Glasgow-born left back will captain his country as they take on Ukraine at Hampden Park tonight, hoping that his on-field heroics help his Scotland side through to Sunday's World Cup play-off final against Wales. But it's Robertson's work off the pitch that is making a real difference to families in need.
The 28-year-old set up AR26 in 2020, with the intention of improving children's physical and mental fitness and providing life-changing experiences to vulnerable young people. And now online platform ClassForKids is launching a huge fundraising campaign to support AR26 in their quest to bring free football to 1,000 children a week by 2023.
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Amid the current cost of living crisis, this campaign will provide support to families across Scotland, enabling young people to find ways in to to employment and further education.
Amanda Nisanci, head of partnerships at AR26, said: “At present, we bring free football to approximately 350 6-16 year olds across Scotland every week. By 2023 we want to be engaging in the region of 1,000 beneficiaries each week with the ultimate goal to be giving every child in Scotland the chance to play football in a safe, engaging, fun and inspiring environment.
"We pride ourselves on the on and off the pitch education and engagement being of equal importance, immersing ourselves in the communities we deliver."
In addition to AR26's 'Football for All' initiative, the charity runs the ‘Hope For Youths’ project. The charity also facilitates life-changing experiences tailored to the individual child’s hobbies and interests.
Speaking about the ClassForKids fundraising appeal, CEO Nikki Th’ng, said: "The work AR26 do is quite clearly in line with ClassForKids values, in supporting children to take up more exercise, helping with their mental health and everything around their setup and ethos. We have been involved in this partnership for a while now which has been really successful and long may it continue as we move forward.”
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