Foundation helps Fire and Rescue service combat anti-social behaviour
The LFC Foundation's Premier League Kicks programme joined forces with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service to eradicate fire-related anti-social behaviour in the lead-up to Halloween and Bonfire Night.
The month-long initiative aimed to use the power of football to bring together local young people from across the city, encouraging positive social connections while highlighting the dangers surrounding the Halloween and Bonfire period.
During the October half-term, LFC Foundation coaches and MFRS delivered a three-day football camp to more than 60 youngsters at Croxteth Sports Centre, following a successful pilot in the summer holidays.
An U14s 7v7 tournament was also held at Toxteth Firefit on the eve of Bonfire Night, with five teams from across the Kicks programme taking part. After the competition, MFRS delivered a fire safety workshop to the youngsters, covering the dangers of wheelie bin fires, firework misuse and the impact of attacks on the emergency services.
Andrea Cooper, head of the LFC Foundation, said: “Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service is a key associate working with our Premier League Kicks Football+ programme and it’s really important to get these fire safety messages across to our local youngsters, particularly at this time of year.
“Our collaboration with MFRS has been running under the Kicks Football+ programme for the past 12 months, using football as an incentive to bring local youngsters together to address key issues, reduce anti-social behaviour and encourage personal development.”
Premier League Kicks sessions are free to attend and run at various locations across Merseyside on weeknights. Specialist workshops – covering drug and alcohol awareness, road safety, gun and knife crime, gang culture and key life skills – also take place throughout the year.
For more information, please contact Tony.Cosgrove@liverpoolfc.com or visit foundation.liverpoolfc.com.