'People need support' - Newcastle hero Christian Atsu…

'People need support' - Newcastle hero Christian Atsu never forgot home with selfless charity work

Christian Atsu will be remembered by many as a fantastic footballer. However, for a number of disadvantaged children across his native Ghana, he will be remembered as the man who gave them a better quality of life.

Atsu's tragic passing was confirmed on Saturday morning after days of searching rubble following a 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Turkey. Tributes quickly began to pour in for the ex-Newcastle United favourite due to his exploits on the field for the Magpies.

Atsu was a great player but also a fantastic human, as documented by his incredible charity work back home. The Ghanian grew up in poverty in Ada Foah and after being scouted by Portuguese side Porto as a youngster, felt guilt about his leaving his family in Africa to pursue his footballing dreams.

"A lot of children in Ghana will not get this chance and waste their talent in Africa, that’s why I am also trying to do my best to make sure that they will not waste their talent and make sure they have the opportunity to work towards their future," the winger said at the time.

While playing for Newcastle Atsu became an ambassador for the children’s charity 'Arms Around the Child', helping raise vital funds for new schools and community projects in Ghana. Atsu played a big part in building a new education centre in Senya Beraku to help orphaned and trafficked children receive an education.

Speaking in 2018, Atsu told Chronicle Live: “Have you been to Ghana? Life is hard enough there, when my car stops at the traffic lights children beg for money.

“They don’t have a house or nowhere to go. They can end up in bad situations. We have to build a better world for them."

In 2018 a special fundraising event was held at the Hilton Hotel in Gateshead to kickstart the fundraising effort for a new school. Then-Newcastle team-mates Mo Diame and DeAndre Yedlin were in attendance, as well as Akosua Puni Essien, the wife of Michael, like Atsu, an ambassador for the charity Arms Around the Child.

The event was deemed 'a real success' by the charity and allowed the school project to get under way. Atsu also sent a boatload of Newcastle training gear to the schools, so any child playing the country's national sport of football could do so donned in the black and white of the Magpies.

Speaking about his role as an ambassador, Atsu said: "I know where I came from so will always be grateful and try to give back to the community.

"I feel like everyone has to be happy and has the right to be happy. Before I reached this level, I was supported. People need support in life to chase their dreams."

Abdul Hayye Yartey, a close friend of Atsu who works as a football coach in Ghana, recently admitted the entire country was praying for a positive outcome after two earthquakes devastated southern Turkey and northern Syria. “Yesterday, when I got in touch with his orphanage, the director told me the kids were crying and praying for his safety. Atsu helps people he comes across everywhere, and for me, there is much blessing in giving," he said.

Atsu's agent confirmed the news everyone had been fearing on Saturday morning, tweeting: "It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce to all well wishers that sadly Christian Atsu’s body was recovered this morning. "My deepest condolences go to his family and loved ones. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their prayers and support."

Newcastle co-owner Mehrdad Ghodoussi led the tributes when the news broke, with the Magpies planning a minute's silence for Atsu before kick-off against Liverpool on Saturday.

'People need support' - Newcastle hero Christian Atsu never forgot home with selfless charity work

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