Jane Bateman’s Post

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Head of International Relations at The FA

This wonderful initiative from FC Shakhtar Donetsk is a perfect match to the values of Sir Bobby Charlton, a champion of children, of youth, of making a difference to people’s lives, and of course of football. He set up his own charity in 2011 in response to the emotion he experienced when meeting young people in Cambodia with horrific blast injuries simply because they had gone out to play football and inadvertently touched or trodden on a landmine – a hidden and hideous legacy of war. You might not naturally think of Sir Bobby Charlton as someone who would dedicate the last years of his life trying to do something about the traumatic physical and mental effects of conflict, but dedicate himself he did. What is happening in Ukraine is horrific, but for a precious few hours each week, boys and girls aged 7-12, including children with disabilities, come together with FC Shakhtar Donetsk in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia to play football, immersing themselves in physical exercise with other young people, briefly free and protected from the trauma of war. Sir Bobby would have been proud that his charity has enabled this to happen: he loved being with young people, seeing them laughing together, playing football together, and simply having fun together. If you would like to read more, or do donate to the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation to enable us to continue this work, please visit www.thesbcfoundation.org. We would love to have your support. #Ukraine #HelpForUkraine #UnitedTogether #UkraineFootball #ForVictimsOfWar

We are proud to partner with FC Shakhtar Donetsk 'United Together' project, giving Ukrainian children the chance to play football safely, and to forget for a short time the trauma of war.   Funding from the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation enables football sessions for children in Zaporizhzhia, on the front line of the Ukraine war. Here they can play safely, socialise with other children, and most importantly enjoy the chance to have fun and simply 'be children'. Learn more and donate by visiting our website, www.thesbcfoundation.org. Thank you for any support you can give.    #FCShakhtar #UnitedTogether #SirBobbyCharlton #BobbyCharltonFoundation 

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