The club’s Foundation charity has been re-launched as ‘The Palace For Life Foundation’, and aims to transform the lives of young people in south London using the power of Crystal Palace FC and sport.
The charity was officially unveiled at a media event at Selhurst Park on Tuesday evening attended by the club’s chairman Steve Parish and manager Sam Allardyce, and by the Foundation’s new chairman, Ed Warner and chief executive Mike Summers.
A video showing highlights of the launch night can be viewed below.
The Palace for Life Foundation will run 11 core programmes in and around south London, focusing on three key areas:
- Physical and mental health – teaching children the importance of eating well and taking part in sport, promoting team work and essential life skills
- Early intervention – mentoring the disadvantaged, particularly those at most risk of becoming caught up in drugs or crime
- Fit for work – helping young people make the transition from education to employment, using sport to inspire them
The Foundation’s new mission statement states: “We help young South Londoners grow through the power of sport, inspiring them to find a better path in life, for a better life. We believe that everyone matters, irrespective of race, religion, beliefs or background. And by giving extra support to the most vulnerable, we will help create a better community and society.”
Croydon is one of the country’s ten most deprived boroughs and the Palace for Life Foundation’s focus will be on those at greatest risk and in most need of help. Typically, the charity works with almost 10,000 participants a year on its programmes - more than half of them under the age of 12, and helps around 600 people with disabilities to take part in sport.
Mike Summers, Palace for Life Foundation chief executive, said: “Although the name is new, we’ve been working with young people in our area for over 25 years. Sport can offer young people vital life lessons and instil positive values that can help them to a better future. Our vision is to be recognised as the foremost youth development organisation in South London and amongst the most pioneering football community foundations in the UK.”
Steve Parish, Crystal Palace Football Club chairman, said: “The re-launch of our official charity as the Palace for Life Foundation marks an exciting milestone in our relationship with south London. The club will do all it can to support the Foundation in our shared goals of inspiring our young people to find their strongest path in life, whatever their background or ability.”