Match fee total from England players has passed £5m since 2007.
The England Footballers Foundation is full of praise for French forward Kylian Mbappe, following his decision to donate his World Cup match fees to charity – a move also backed by Gary Neville, one of the Foundation’s founding members.
The former Manchester United and England defender said: “What Kylian has done sets a fine example for international footballers everywhere. In 2007, a group of England players felt the same responsibility to give back, so we formed the England Footballers Foundation.
“In the last 11 years the England national side has, collectively, donated 100% of their match fees to the England Footballers Foundation. This – along with bespoke England fundraising events – has raised over £5m for good causes.
“Countless charitable initiatives have benefitted with the lives of thousands of people being positively impacted through their work. I am very proud that today’s England players are continuing this initiative.”
In 2007 the England Players’ Committee consisted of Gary Neville, David Beckham (then England Captain), Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Michael Owen, David James and Jamie Carragher. Together they established the EFF.
It is the vehicle through which England players donate their match fees, and also their time, to support good causes. As well as the £5million for charity, dozens of players have made over 300 personal appearances for good causes since 2007. The current England Players’ Committee (on behalf of wider squad) takes a keen interest in which causes they support.
Some of the initiatives to have benefitted historically include: The Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK, Unicef, OnSide, Rays of Sunshine, The Honeypot Children’s Charity, WellChild, Together for Short Lives, Cancer Research UK, Help for Heroes, The British Forces Foundation, The PFA’s charitable initiatives and Help Harry Help Others.
You can follow the England Footballers Foundation (EFF) on Twitter and Instagram: @EFFCharity
Image: EFF
