The annual event recognises those who have achieved excellence on and off the field, with this year’s ceremony taking place at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester on November 11.
Liverpool FC’s 2018-19 season was a success both on and off the pitch, with the club proving its commitment to social responsibility through its official charity, the LFC Foundation, and its dedicated community programme, Red Neighbours.
The LFC Foundation’s mission is to create life-changing opportunities for children and young people in Merseyside and beyond, while Red Neighbours specifically focuses on making a difference to people living in and around the Anfield area.
Matt Parish, LFC Foundation director, said: “Last season was one of our best yet - over 28,000 children and young people took part in our programmes, which is an 86 per cent increase on the 2017-18 season.
“We have also continued to build strong relationships with our partners, which allows us to extend our reach and impact even further - helping to create positive opportunities for more children and young people throughout Merseyside and beyond.”
Forbes Duff, Red Neighbours’ senior manager, added: “We have a social responsibility to be a good neighbour and support our local community in and around Anfield and that’s something we strive to do every day.
“All of Red Neighbours’ activities and events are designed in response to local needs such as food poverty and education, social isolation and promoting healthy living.
“Last season we saw a 33 per cent increase in attendance at our events and activities, with over 19,500 people taking part, and we will continue to strive to reach even more of the local community going forward.”
A snapshot of Red Neighbours and LFC Foundation’s delivery includes educational programmes, multi-sports sessions, half-term sports camps, breakfast clubs during school holidays, social events and sports activities for local residents aged 50+, donating free match tickets to Anfield schools, matchday foodbank collections, and arranging for local pupils to meet Liverpool players.
Some of the numbers…
- 28,630 children and young people took part in LFC Foundation programmes during the 2018-19 season. This is up from 15,416 in the 2017-18 season - an 86 per cent increase.
- LFC Foundation worked with more than 8,000 primary school children in 24 of our partner schools.
- In partnership with IntoUniversity and the University of Liverpool, LFC Foundation has helped more than 1,300 disadvantaged young people in North Liverpool to reach their education potential.
- 652 young people and adults with complex and additional needs were supported through LFC Foundation school and community football sessions.
- 337 girls took part in LFC Foundation football sessions across 11 sites, with pathways into grassroots teams, to help grow the game.
- 1,642 young people in high crime areas attended LFC Foundation community football, educational and personal development sessions.
- 5,027 young people and family members took part in weekly LFC Foundation multi-sports and activity sessions and events in local parks.
- LFC Foundation’s international work reached 3,557 young people across the world.
- More than 19,500 members of the local community have participated in Red Neighbours’ activities and events during the 2018-19 season.
- More than 1,400 local families attended 20 Red Neighbours breakfast clubs held at Anfield during school half-term holidays and the summer holiday.
- More than 9,110kg of food collected - that’s a total of 3,037 people fed thanks to matchday foodbank collections.
- More than 2,200 residents aged 50+ took part in Red Neighbours’ monthly social events and sporting activities including Monday club, walking football and chair yoga.
- 1,100 local school kids from 25 local schools got the opportunity to enjoy a Premier League game for free at Anfield. Another 855 match tickets were donated by LFC partners for the local community and charities.
- 240 pupils had the opportunity to meet first-team players and spend time with their heroes at local schools in West Derby.