Ian Wright is back on the ball
Ian Wright swings into action to support new charity programme
Football legend Ian Wright will be joined by golfing pro Lee Slattery and a host of other golfers in Arden and Aylesford golf course this weekend (28 June), to raise money for the Vodafone Foundation and v funded programme, Lifetracks.
On Sunday Ian will battle it out with 140 other golfers from across the event's sponsor organisations. Lee Slattery will then join the players on Monday evening to sign autographs and present prizes to teams with the best scores.
The event's charity beneficiary, Lifetracks, is a new initiative which incorporates a combination of online and on-the-ground services to help young people - including some of the most disadvantaged in the UK - increase their chances of getting a job.
Graham Hewitt, Business Manager for Regional Operations at Vodafone commented: "Lifetracks is helping to tackle one of the biggest social problems currently facing young people in the UK, which is why we've chosen it as the beneficiary of today's event.
"Young people have always been a key focus of the Vodafone Foundation's work and now, more than ever, young people need help and support to take the next step into work, training or study and so realise their full potential."
The Lifetracks programme is being delivered by a consortium of four respected UK youth charities - The Foyer Federation, Skill, Rathbone and YouthNet - thanks to a £5m investment by the Vodafone Foundation and a further £1.5m match funding from v, The National Young Volunteers Service.
Golf equipment manufacturers TaylorMade is kindly supporting the event by providing sets of irons, drivers, putters, bags and power caddies for competitors – all up for grabs in the raffle on Sunday. They are also providing their tour bus, giving all their participants an opportunity to share the experience the tour professionals get at each event.
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Media contacts:
For media information, please contact Katy Miller or Sarah Wilson on 0207 250 5716, or out of hours on 07766 660 755. Email media@youthnet.org
Notes to Editors:
About YouthNet: Online communications charity YouthNet specialises in using new technologies to inspire, support and engage young people across the UK. YouthNet delivers a range of online services to thousands of young people each month via two award-winning websites, TheSite.org and do-it.org.uk. YouthNet is proud to lead the Consortium and is bringing Lifetracks to life on the web. www.youthnet.org
About Rathbone: Rathbone supports around 14,000 of the UK's most socially excluded 14 to 24 year-olds each year, helping them succeed and re-engage with learning through a range of tailor-made programmes. www.rathboneuk.org
About Skill: Skill promotes learning and employment opportunities for all disabled people over 16. This includes a free information and advice service for individuals and their families and the professionals who work with them, via a telephone and SMS helpline, email and website. www.skill.org.uk
About The Foyer Federation: The Foyer Federation transforms lives by supporting disadvantaged young people through their transition to independence. It works in partnership with a UK-wide network of Foyers, and develops programmes that integrate accommodation with training, job search, personal support and motivation. www.foyer.net
About the Vodafone Foundation: The Vodafone Foundation has invested over £100 million in projects since its creation in 2002 concentrating on disaster relief, helping disadvantaged young people via sport and music initiatives and specific projects across Vodafone's 24 local Foundations worldwide www.vodafonefoundation.org
About v: v aims to inspire a new generation of volunteers (aged 16-25) in England. They do this by funding voluntary organisations all over England to create inspiring, diverse opportunities and by helping to overcome barriers that stop people from taking action to improve lives, communities and the planet. v's aim is to create a culture where volunteering comes naturally – and where the benefits of volunteering are understood and celebrated. v is an independent charity launched in May 2006 as a result of the Russell Commission report, A National Framework for Youth Action and Engagement. See vinspired.com for more information.