LFC Supporters Clubs join forces to make a difference in their communities

The LFC Foundation initiative encouraged OLSCs from around the globe to unite and take part in activities and challenges to support their local communities and help address the impact of the global pandemic.

From Baltimore to Bangalore and Kenya to Kuala Lumpur, 34 OLSCs from across five continents delivered a wide range of fantastic community action activities, including food drives, making and distributing face masks, fundraising challenges for local charities, providing school supply packs and cleaning community venues and spaces. 

To ensure the competition was accessible, global OLSCs also had the opportunity to take part in a list of at-home activities, if they were unable to go out into their communities due to local restrictions.

Fans took to social media across the weekend, tagging their progress using #ThisMeansMoreChallenge and sharing their amazing work with fans across the world.

OLSCs were also invited to join the 'This Means More Challenge Weekend Virtual Awards Ceremony' on October 28, where club owner and LFC Foundation trustee, Linda Henry, announced the winners:

Overall winner: Myanmar

Runners-up: Bangalore and Kenya 

Judges' comments: It’s difficult to know where to start! Myanmar were very active across the weekend with a variety of community activities including:

• Giving out free facemasks to the community
• Proving care packages for students, refugees and care workers
• Litter picking at a local hospital
• Planting trees in memory of the 96
• A local food drive
• Giving blood
• And still finding the time to entertain everybody with their stay-at-home concert!

LFC Family Award – The most family friendly activity

Winner: Madrid

Runners-up: Atlanta and Kenya

Judges’ comments: We loved the family friendly 288km trek completed by 14 of Madrid’s members young and old, raising €900 to support foodbanks.

YWNA Award – The most creative activity

Winner: Las Vegas

Runners-up: France and Bangalore

Judges' comments: What can we say? A new James Milner song and performed with the (other) king – Elvis Presley!

Original Award – The most innovative activity

Winner: Kenya

Runners-up: Hong Kong and Iraq

Judges’ comments: Amongst many of the activities completed by Kenya, it was the ‘Bleed with Pride’ initiative – donating sustainable feminine hygiene packs which have a five-year lifespan that really stood out.

Linda Henry commented: “We have been continuously impressed with the phenomenal connections and work being done across the world in local communities through the Official Liverpool Supporters Clubs.

"When we created the 'This Means More Challenge Weekend' to try to capture and promote what was happening, I had high expectations on what the supporters clubs would do, but I was truly blown away by the way the OSLCs came together and made an impact in their communities. The passion, creativity, and kindness came through, showing that being part of LFC really does mean more. 

"At a time of unprecedented challenges with a global pandemic, it is so inspiring that the Liverpool family has come together, on a global scale, to help do their part to make things better. I'm both humbled and deeply appreciative of the magnificent efforts of our OLSCs and am excited to build on this year's success by making things bigger and better next year, and in the years to come. Thank you to the Liverpool family.”

Matt Parish, LFC Foundation director, added: “Everybody at the Foundation and across the club have been blown away by the passion and kindness of our Official Liverpool Supporters Clubs. We really are the world’s greatest football family and your ambition and commitment to help others is simply phenomenal. The pandemic has impacted the world is so many ways, and to be able to come together is such a powerful way is remarkable. Thank you.”

It is hoped that the 'This Means More Challenge Weekend' will now be an annual event and opportunity to showcase the amazing work being done in communities across the world by the LFC family.