Wayne and Coleen Rooney help Football For Change raise over £1.1 million

A charity launched by football superstars has raised more than £1.1 million since 2021 following a star-studded gala in Manchester recently. A headline performance from Olly Murs had celebrities such as Wayne and Coleen Rooney partying into the early hours.  

Football for Change was launched in 2021 by England international team-mates Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Coady and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher alongside Swinton Insurance and leading PR firm ThisGeneration Communications (TGC). 

TGC organised the third annual gala at Emirates Old Trafford on Saturday and secured an unmissable entertainment bill, with performances from Beverley Knight, Tinie Tempah and Olly Murs and an intimate football Q&A between Peter Crouch, Wayne Rooney and Jamie Carragher.

In April, Football for Change released over £150,000 of funding to charities supporting young people to build better futures, with 16 organisations receiving major funding of up to £10,000 including Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, Everton in the Community, Liverpool FC Foundation and The Inclusive Hub. 

Football for Change has also sent more than 100 disadvantaged young people to the United States of America for a sports and education retreat and helped homeless youngsters into work and accommodation in Glasgow alongside rock legend and patron of the initiative, Sir Rod Stewart, who headlined the inaugural gala in 2021. 

Soulstress Beverley Knight opened the gala, which had the crowd on their feet early in the evening, while Vernon Kay hosted.

Sky Sports presenter Pete Graves then turned auctioneer with a series of incredible, once-in-a-lifetime prizes available.

An all-expenses paid Inter Miami meet-and-greet with David Beckham and Lionel Messi in the USA, signed Noel Gallagher guitars and an exclusive meal with TV personality Alan Carr were donated in aid of the charity, as well as a behind-the-scenes Formula 1 trip to Abu Dhabi.

Liverpool and Manchester United also donated prizes alongside the likes of Sky Sports, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jack Grealish.

Jamie Carragher, chairman of Football for Change, was present at the glittering event, hosted at Emirates Old Trafford, alongside other star names such as Gemma Owen, Conor Coady, Natasha Hamilton, Christine McGuinness, Ricky Hatton, Lucy Fallon, Andy Cole, Joleon Lescott, Angela Rayner MP and Olivia and Alex Bowen.  

The celebrities partied into the small hours, taking pictures with fans and loving the performance from Olly Murs.  

Chairman of Football For Change, Jamie Carragher, said after the gala: 

“I am thrilled at the amount raised. This money will help change the lives of so many disadvantaged young people. 

“It was brilliant of Olly to come and perform for us. He has been a long-standing supporter of Football for Change, which is fantastic. He can see the work we are doing. Beverley, Tinie, Peter and Vernon too, they were all just brilliant. It means so much to the charity.

“The event was a success from start to finish and it will not stop here. Football for Change will continue to help those who need it most.”

Football For Change was launched in partnership with public relations leader Dan Hughes and his agency, ThisGeneration Communications (TGC). Dan Hughes said:  

“It is another momentous evening for Football for Change. To raise over £1.1million in under three years is a stunning achievement.

“All the footballers, celebrities, performers and business leaders here tonight, and those who have helped along the way, understand the magnitude of what Football for Change is achieving.

“Football for Change is a charity changing the lives of those less fortunate and this money will raise further opportunities to directly help young people in need.”

Former Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney said: 

“It was fantastic to be here tonight to see Football For Change take their total to over £1.1million. 

“It was a great night and Olly Murs put on an unreal show. It was brilliant to see everyone have such a great time while raising so much for an amazing cause.”

Former Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and England forward Peter Crouch said:

“Football For Change is a fantastic initiative. I am so proud to be involved in this event which is changing the lives of so many young people. This is only going to get bigger as it moves forward.”