The Soccer Aid Schools Challenge is back, and The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) is calling on all primary and secondary schools across the country to take part in the epic football challenge to help raise vital funds for children around the world.
Open to all children regardless of ability, the Soccer Aid Schools Challenge is designed to allow schools to team up with pupils to design an obstacle course to take on each other’s skills, whilst raising money to help UNICEF’s work for children around the world.
Pupils can dribble, kick or bounce a ball, sprint, skip or hop across the playground and help kids have the playtimes they deserve. Pupils can either donate to take part in their school’s challenge, ask parents to sponsor them or hold a charity bake sale to help top up their fundraising.
Money raised from the Soccer Aid Schools Challenge could help UNICEF fight malnutrition, keep children safe in times of crisis, and get them back to school. It could also help provide vaccines against preventable diseases such as polio, so all children can grow up happy, healthy and able to play. By taking part, schools are helping to protect play for every child.
This year, there has never been a more challenging time for children. Right now, they are facing war, disasters, and other crises in countries around the world. When children lose their homes, their families, and their schools, they lose out on happy, healthy, play-filled childhoods. Just when they need that safe space and moment of escape the most, it’s gone.
Sarah Wren, Head of Soccer Aid for UNICEF said: “With Soccer Aid for UNICEF back for its 12th year, we’re thrilled to get children outside and moving all for a great cause. Every child deserves access to clean water, an education, and a safe space, but unfortunately as we know this isn’t the case for many children around the world. Taking part in the Soccer Aid School’s Challenge is a fun way we can do our bit to help children in those situations get back to the play-filled childhoods they deserve”.
Mr. Cusack, Teacher at John Bramston Primary School said: “The Soccer Aid Schools Challenge has invigorated the whole school. We all get to have fun, the children get to use their imaginations and be active, and we get to raise money for children who need our support. It’s a win for everyone involved.”
Schools taking part in the challenge will be provided with a fundraising pack full of tips for planning the fun-filled fundraiser to ensure they raise as much money as possible for children worldwide. All fundraising efforts will go towards supporting Soccer Aid for UNICEF.
Soccer Aid for UNICEF is the world’s biggest charity football game, raising money to give children the best start in life. This year, the Soccer Aid for UNICEF match will see it’s return to Old Trafford, Manchester on Sunday 11th June and will air live on ITV1, STV and ITVX.
Since 2006 – when UNICEF UK Ambassador Robbie Williams co-founded the concept – Soccer Aid for UNICEF has raised over £75 million to help give children all over the world a childhood full of play.
Schools can kick off their Schools Challenge any time from receiving the fundraising pack to the end of May, with fundraising totals to be announced as part of the live match in June.