Ethos Public Relations Manchester

Nine year old Kent boy supports Rochdale kids

by Ethos public relations

Rochdale kids living on the Freehold estate will benefit from new footballs, new football kits and also secure their free football coaching session, thanks to a visit by a nine year old charity fund raiser from Kent!

Mohammad Azhar from the Freehold Community Group explains: “The Group organises numerous initiatives for young people on the estate and one of our most popular is free football coaching. However, due to the high demand for the sessions we just did not have enough footballs and equipment to be able to support all the young people we wanted to.

“An SOS on Facebook by landlord Rochdale Boroughwide Housing resulted in a call from 9 year old Jonjo Heuerman who offered to donate footballs and kits – and he would deliver them in person.”

Jonjo has received country wide recognition as one of the country’s youngest charity fundraisers. When his Nan died from bowel cancer earlier this year, he decided to raise money for The Bobby Moore Fund which supports research into the disease. With the help of his dad he planned his first charity walk from Wembley Stadium to his beloved West Ham United.

This 23 mile walk generated a lot of media interest and proved inspirational to many people who asked if they could join him in his next event. To date he has raised £37,000 for the charity and an estimated £1m in publicity for the Bobby Moore Fund.

This weekend, around 150 Rochdale children took part in a Junior Football Event organised by the Freehold Community Group, and Jonjo was guest of honour. Thanks to his kind donation, the Freehold Community Group was able to announce the re-launch of its free Football Coaching Sessions.

Miguel Cardona, trainee CSO/Housing Officer, and Chris Dobie the Coordinator of the group both said: “The event was supported by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing and other local organisations but our biggest thanks have to go to the local community and all the volunteers who help facilitate the football coaching along with the huge range of other initiatives on the estate.

“Everything we do is around inspiring our young people and providing them with leadership and positive role models like Jonjo. This event is a great example of people power at its best.”

Freehold Community Group supports a diverse and disadvantaged community on the estate who between them speak an incredible 25 different languages. The Group aims to improve their life skills and life chances. It is funded by the Lottery fund and is supported by volunteers and five members of staff.

Jonjo said: “It was great to meet so many new friends. In February 2012 I will be walking again and I want lots of people to walk with me and many of the Rochdale kids have said they will.

“You can find out lots about my walk on my website www.fornannyandbobby.moonfruit.com or you can follow me on Twitter www.twitter.com/jonjoheuerman or Facebook www.facebook.com/jonjos.walk.”

To read other news from Rochdale Boroughwide Housing click here.

Posted at 23^rd November 2011