Jamie Carragher testimonial for 23 Foundation

On Saturday 4th September 2010 the Liverpool defender will celebrate his career at the club with a game against an Everton XI at Anfield at 2pm. For ticket information please click here.

Founded by Liverpool FC’s number 23 - Jamie Carragher, the 23 foundation seeks to
provide the youth of Merseyside with the means to make a difference in society by giving
them an outlet through football and sport. Jamie Carragher set up The 23 Foundation with the Community Foundation for Merseyside at the beginning of 2009 in order to provide grants to young people in local communities.

The 23 Foundation encourages the youth of Merseyside to actively reach for their dreams by following their sporting interests. By providing a framework for achieving their goals, the Merseyside community - of which Jamie himself is very much a part of - can develop more confident, well rounded individuals.

In giving children a reason and also the means to express their talents communities can show them there are many ways to succeed on a personal and career level by being part of a team. So its no surprise therefore that the idea of 'we' is a very important part of what the 23 Foundation does, as our founder and patron Jamie Carragher explains:

"Being part of a team and achieving something together is much more satisfying and I know without the help of my team and teams I grew up with I would not have become the individual I am today. At the 23 foundation we promote the idea of “we” and “us” because together as a community and with help from people like you reading this, we can accomplish anything.”

We believe that what makes the difference is working together we can achieve so much more, whether you’re in business or playing for a top premiership side and that’s why we actively encourage businesses, schools, clubs, associations, etc to get involved and if that’s not possible make a generous donation.

The 23 Foundation has benefitted from the Community Foundation’s ‘Merseyside Grassroots Endowment Challenge’. This challenge means that every £2 donated to the 23 Foundation will benefit from a £1 match, helping the fund to grow and generate more grants. Each year, the interest from the fund will be drawn down and distributed as grants to voluntary sector groups and charities working with local young people.

Funds from Jamie’s Testimonial football match and gala dinner on 4 September will be donated entirely to the 23 Foundation and invested for the long term. Grant funding and the application process will be announced on the Community Foundation’s website after the Testimonial.

The 23 Foundation is administered by the Community Foundation for Merseyside, registered charity number 1068887.

How to donate:

If you would like to make a donation please click here to give online or you can make cheques payable to The 23 Foundation c/o CFM and send to the following address:

The 23 Foundation
Community Foundation for Merseyside
c/o Santander
Bridle Road
Bootle, Merseyside GIR 0AA

If you are a UK Taxpayer, The 23 Foundation can claim an extra 28 pence for every £1 you donate simply by filling in a Gift Aid form down-loaded at the following link: http://www.cfmerseyside.org.uk/index.php?p=183

For further information about the Community Foundation for Merseyside, the testimonial and the 23 Foundation please contact Jack Miller, Development Director on jack.miller@cfmerseyside.org.uk.