Manchester United star, Rio Ferdinand today unveiled details for the launch event for his new charity the Rio Ferdinand Live The Dream Foundation. The charity aims to establish a series of centres in deprived areas to mentor teens and is designed to raise levels of aspiration, opportunity and achievement for all young people in the UK and overseas.
The glitzy launch event will take place on the 16th December at the Old Billingsgate in London where Rio will be joined by special guests and celebrities including top Premiership players like Frank Lampard, along with the likes of Robbie Williams, JLS and David Furnish to name but a few. Award-winning comedian James Corden has signed up as the host for the star studded event to unveil Rio’s Live the Dream Foundation.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Rio said: 'I've always been passionate about helping those who haven't had the best start in life - particularly young people. I was fortunate enough to realise my potential as a footballer and I want to help others do the same in whatever area that they believe they have the skills.
'Essentially, the foundation is a vehicle to reach out to young people and provide them with the resources they need to unlock their potential. The Live the Dream Foundation will help to change lives.'
The new charity recognises that young people everywhere are motivated and enthused by a range of cultural, sports and arts activities – from music to photography, film to football and dance to drama, but are often unaware of the opportunities available within these industries to turn a passion for the activity into a career in the industry.
Chris Nathaniel, NVA Management CEO and co-founder of the Live the Dream Foundation said: "Rio's always had a very clear vision of how he wanted the foundation to proactively reach out to young people without replicating what other charities are already doing. The direct involvement of someone of Rio’s profile is going to help keep pushing the importance of investing in young people higher up the agenda.'
Through the achievements, networks and partnerships of the Foundation’s trustees and partners, the Rio Ferdinand Live The Dream Foundation will deliver programmes of activity that will introduce young people to new activities, uncover new talent, provide accredited training and vocational skills, offer work placements, deliver careers workshops and support participants into education, training and employment.
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