On Sunday 18th August JRF hosted a ‘Community first’ intergenerational event at Bridgestone Arena which provided the local community with a fun day of sport including tennis, table tennis, and walking football, health, well-being, and family activities such as a bouncy castle, music, and refreshments. The community celebration was supported through Hyde Charitable Trust’s Surprise Fund.
Over 500 residents of all ages attended the event where JRF Founder Jason Roberts, MBE attended as a special guest.
Nuffield Health the UK’s largest healthcare charity, partnered with the Foundation on health initiatives including health checks and nutrition advice.
International German doner kebab company GDK sponsored the football tournament on the day as part of JRF’s ‘Heads-up’ programme to be launched this month.
The competition for 16 – 18-year-olds was organised by young JRF coaches and volunteers, was watched by the attending crowd and Jason and recording artist Akala. The top two winning teams were treated afterwards to snack boxes and refreshments at GDK in Willesden.
In the evening, the community heard from and celebrated the local DJs who contributed so much to music locally, regionally, and internationally. JB international, Chukki Starr, reggae artist and DJ Bushman talked about their life, career journeys, and music experiences through until 11:00pm.
Before the awards for winning team and player of the match were handed out, Jason addressed the young players who competed; “Thank you all for coming, staying, and taking part. I see a lot of you playing football and the reason we’re able to do that is because of the support of organsations like GDK.”
He went on to say to the young people who managed the event; “I want to big up Isco and his team for organising the tournament. If people like you, us (JRF), and companies like GDK don’t do these things for the local community, no one is going to. This is how I learnt to play football thanks to the support of local companies and people like you, so thank you very much.”
