LFC’s Charity Receives Recognition from No10

Mark Haig and Steve Hollis

Reds charity, Liverpool FC Foundation, found themselves in the company of David Cameron recently when they were invited to attend No 10, in recognition of the work they carry out in support of ex-service personnel.

Mark Haig, Head of Foundation Operations and Foundation Lead for the Military Veterans Programme, Steve Hollis, attended Downing Street after receiving a personal invitation from the Prime Minister.

The Foundation launched their dedicated Military Veterans Programme in 2012, aimed at re-engaging ex-military service men and women with physical activity helping to recapture their spirit of service and comradeship with like-minded professional military personnel.

Through a range of structured activities and projects the programme helps to build confidence and self-belief and promotes health and wellbeing, education and re-employment opportunities, as well as providing a pathway to a various local specialist support services.

Over the past 18 months the programme has established, a weekly football coaching session at the Liverpool FC Academy, a weekly 5-a-side football league, competitive 11-a-side football matches with other veterans teams all of which has resulted in over 3,000 participants benefiting from the programme’s projects this year to date.

Talking about his visit, Mark said: “It was great honour to be recognised at such a high level for the work that we do in the Foundation. I see the immense impact our programmes have on individuals every week, so I was pleased to be given the opportunity represent everyone at the Club whose commitment to helping our military veterans has delivered the successes we’ve seen to date.”

It’s a testament to the work that the Foundation does that 19 veterans have achieved a range of qualifications and training with the support of the programme with 14 of those veterans going on to achieve full-time employment.

In May 2014, Liverpool FC Foundation also sealed its commitment to the Armed Forces community by signing the Ministry of Defence Armed Forces Corporate Covenant and is only one of a handful of football Club’s to do so.