A total of £48,000 was raised at fundraising event in Liverpool city centre, supporting two worthy causes in the city.
Hosted by Formby-based Opus Events, Jamie Carragher’s 23 Foundation and Weapons Down Gloves Up benefitted from the generosity of those in attendance at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Friday afternoon.
The 23 Foundation, launched by Carragher himself in 2009, works closely with the Community Foundation for Merseyside and Lancashire as well as offering help to young people across the world through delivering community initiatives, providing financial support to local hospitals, assisting food bank projects and much more.
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Auction items including a signed 20221/22 Liverpool home shirt, signed Jordan Pickford goalkeeper kit and luxury hospitality experiences helped the fundraising total near the £50,000 mark, during what is a time of financial uncertainty for many.
Taking to the stage on Friday afternoon, Carragher spoke to his audience about his memories of the 2005 Champions League final before watching on in laughter as he was imitated by football comedian, Darren Farley.
Discussing the importance of his charity work to the ECHO, the legendary Liverpool defender said: “My charity is vitally important to me and the city as well. Nothing has changed with what we want to try and achieve and days like today give us an opportunity to raise money for both charities through Opus Events’ charity lunch.”
Capital was also being raised for the excellent local initiative Weapons Down Gloves Up (WDGU), which provides a safe space for young individuals within the community to keep away from danger as they undertake martial arts courses teaching self-defence strategies.
WDGU aims to create employment opportunities for people between the ages of 16 and 25 and has an ongoing target of helping 1000 people into work. A focus is placed on helping those who have endured a difficult start in life get back on track through practicing sport and by providing educational pathways over a seven-week period.
Retired boxer Tony Bellew and UFC star Molly McCann are two local figures who serve as ambassadors for WDGU and were also present at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in support of a scheme they see great value in.
Explaining to the ECHO why she decided to get involved as a Community Engagement Officer, McCann - commonly referred to as Meatball Molly in the sporting world - told the ECHO: “Two years ago, I did a podcast with Billy Moore and I said ‘I would love to get involved in that.’ I then had a conversation with a woman who is no longer with the charity, who put it all together."
McCann continued: “My mum always said to me growing up ‘Who are you fighting for?’ - and I’m fighting for my community. I’m from an area of Liverpool that is, at times, marred with tragedy. Between the ages of 16 and 20, I used to work for the fire service with a charity called Fire Support Network and it was just natural progression for me to move forward. I feel like kids relate to me, I could have gone one way and I didn’t. Sport saved my life, and I’m trying to help them.”
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