Arsenal Football Club has announced it is dedicating its Premier League match against Fulham this Saturday, 26th November (kick-off 5.30pm), to its Global Charity Partner, Save the Children.
The partnership with Save the Children is aimed at helping the poorest children get a better start in life and give them the chance to grow and fulfil their potential.
As part of the day, players will be donating a day’s wages along with many Arsenal staff to help raise funds for the charity. Supporters are also encouraged to get involved and give what they can to contribute to the partnership which will help to support a range of education projects in the UK and overseas.
To celebrate the announcement, Arsenal first-team players Andre Santos and Johan Djourou visited Emirates Stadium this week to take part in a special Families and Schools Together (FAST) session run by the charity. The programme, which is one of the UK education projects being supported by Arsenal during the partnership, aims to help increase parents’ engagement in their children’s education by encouraging them to perform everyday tasks and develop their skills together.
A number of fundraising initiatives will be taking place in and around Emirates Stadium on Saturday too. The Armoury and The Arsenal at Highbury House stores will be selling exclusive co-branded sportsbands, with at least £2 from each sale being donated directly to Save the Children. 50p from the sale of each matchday programme will also be donated to the partnership.
A special matchday raffle will also take place with prizes ranging from a signed Arsenal shirt and a personalised stone in the new North Bank Terrace at Emirates Stadium to a pair of tickets to see Coldplay live in concert at Arsenal’s home in June 2012.
Arsenal Football Club CEO, Ivan Gazidis said: “Arsenal has a tradition on and off the pitch of bringing the best out of young people and our partnership with Save the Children is built on the shared belief that every child deserves a basic education and the opportunity to fulfil their potential. I hope all supporters will take the opportunity to rally behind the dedicated matchday this Saturday and help to make the day a huge success.”
Justin Forsyth, Chief Executive of Save the Children added: “Arsenal players and supporters should be very proud that this dedicated matchday will help transform children’s lives at home and abroad through education. At Save the Children we are very excited at this next step in our partnership with the Club and all of its amazing fans. Together we are a powerful force for children.”
For more information about the partnership, visit www.arsenal.com/savethechildren.
