Cambridge United Football Club has announced its long-term partnership with international charity Street Child United, working to help improve lives of the world’s most vulnerable children.
A Cambridge-founded charity, Street Child United addresses the plight of street-connected children by raising awareness on an international scale, challenging stigma and, championing their rights. Key to this campaign is the Street Child World Cup, which takes place ahead of the FIFA World Cup and enables street-connected children from across the world to play in a football tournament to change the way the world negatively sees and treats them.
As part of this partnership, Cambridge United will work with Street Child United to raise awareness of the Street Child World Cup. This will be carried out through match day activities, school-based assemblies and fundraising challenges. Cambridge United will also support Street Child United at their flagship events such as the Street Child World Cup: The Future Depends on You in Moscow in 2018.
John Wroe, CEO and Co-Founder of Street Child United says of the collaboration: “The next Street Child World Cup kicks off in 2018 and we are delighted that our local Club, Cambridge United FC, is partnering with our global project using football to improve the lives of street-connected children in countries all around the world. Together we share a love for the game, and recognise its power to make a positive impact on individuals and communities.
“Street Child United was born in Cambridge 10 years ago and our success is rooted in this wonderful city – a small, yet international city that reaches out across the globe. It’s a testament to Cambridge United that they have chosen to partner the Club, its supporters and the people of Cambridge with an organisation committed to helping children throughout the world be protected, respected and supported to reach their full potential – achieved through playing football.”
Ben Szreter, Cambridge United Community Trust CEO, said: “Street Child United are an amazing charity who raise awareness about a hugely important topic through the power of sport. The issues about unfairness and inequality that they tackle globally align perfectly with Cambridge United’s desire to tackle the same issues locally.”
Jez George, Cambridge United CEO, said: “It’s impossible not to be inspired by Street Child United and the work they do across the world. They’re a fantastic organisation and we are very excited to partner them and committed to support all of their work."