An FA Cup Final is huge for any club, and South London is feeling it. At Palace for Life Foundation, it's no different.
As Crystal Palace gear up for their third-ever FA Cup Final, the team at Palace for Life and the communities they support have been feeling the buzz.
They don’t take lightly just what the incredible impact our club getting to the FA Cup Final has on the young people we work with year round.
So, who to explain this better than Palace for Life Patron Doc Brown? In the video below he says exactly what this means for our community.
Back in 2024 when Palace for Life recorded a cover of Glad All Over, they weren’t to know Palace would get this far into one of the country’s most beloved competitions, but as it turned out, the timing couldn’t have been better.
In case you missed it, Palace for Life's Down’s Syndrome team, known as the DS Eagles, recorded a joyful cover of the Palace anthem, Glad All Over, to raise awareness of the challenges young people, particularly those with disabilities, face when trying to find employment.
The track was a celebration of a year-long employment course, designed specifically for the DS Eagles, called DS GAME ON.
The Foundation invited ITV London to chat with CEO, Mike Summers and Ruairi, singer and star of the Glad All Over video about the campaign and why it matters ahead of the FA Cup semi final against Aston Villa – the feature is embedded below.
The track also had its first radio play this week, on BBC Radio London’s Breakfast show!
Elsewhere, local schools in Croydon and beyond have been getting ready for Red and Blue Day, a chance to wear club colours and decorate their classrooms to show support for their local club.
Palace for Life also heard from participants from three local schools as they prepared for the Premier League Primary Stars National tournament which will take place at the Molineux in June. They gave their score predictions for the big day.
The Foundation so proud of the club for getting to the FA Cup Final, but the pride goes way beyond the football. It means a lot more, to Palace for Life, and the individuals they work with.
For many of the young people we support, life in South London can be challenging. Some are growing up in areas affected by poverty, violence or exclusion. Others face different barriers such as disability, poor mental health or a lack of positive role models.
The Foundation like to think that for a young person struggling with confidence or direction, a feeling of connection, support and hope can be life-changing. The programmes they provide aim to do just that.
The final means a lot – to the fans, the community. It also serves as a powerful reminder to the young people the Foundation support: this is your club, and you belong here too.
If you want to celebrate the FA Cup Final by supporting Palace for Life Foundation and their work, you can donate HERE.