February 2018
KENT-BASED STREET SOCCER FOUNDATION MAKES NATIONAL FINAL FOR HOUSEBUILDER’S £200,000 PRIZE
Kent residents are being urged to get behind a local charity which supports vulnerable young people to help it win £200,000 in a national competition established by a leading housebuilder.
Persimmon Homes launched its Healthy Communities scheme last May, with the aim of giving £615,000 to support amateur youth sport in England, Scotland and Wales.
Thirty finalists are now competing for the top prize with the winner to be announced at a gala dinner at York Racecourse on Thursday, 22 March 2018. One individual or group will scoop £200,000, while two runners-up will win £50,000 each. Each of the 30 finalists will win £5,000 each.
The Street Soccer Foundation, formed in Kent, has been chosen to represent Persimmon Homes South East region in the Grand Final and it is now up to the public to decide on the winner with online voting under way until 16 March 2018.
CEO & Founder of The Street Soccer Foundation, Keith Mabbutt, said: “We are incredibly humbled to have been recognised in this way for the work we do, helping to support homeless and vulnerable young people from across Kent & Medway. We combine a mixture of professional football coaching with employability-driven workshops and positive mindset training and through the power of football, we ultimately look to support young participants into Work, Education or Training.
“As the sole representative for the region, we are now urging people across the County and the South East in general to get behind us in this competition and vote for The Street Soccer Foundation.
“£200,000 would enable our Foundation to expand its current delivery programme across Kent and into other areas where young people are at a serious risk of homelessness. The additional courses we would be able to run would allow us to help up to 400 more vulnerable young people who desperately need support to dramatically transform their lives.”
Tom Wright, Managing Director of Persimmon Homes South East, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the interest in the Healthy Communities scheme, and the incredible talent, expertise and dedication shown by all the organisations that entered.
“The aim of the scheme is to help create a sporting legacy, and we believe The Street Soccer Foundation could do this if they win the £200,000. We would urge local people to get behind the Foundation by adding their vote online, as the work they do is tremendous.”
People can vote for The Street Soccer Foundation through the website on the homepage: www.streetsoccerfoundation.org.uk
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