Charity work is making its mark
Andy Robertson has seen the massive difference a daily meal for children can make through his charity foundation AR26.
It provides free football training sessions for kids, mentor support for young people and gives lifechanging experiences to youngsters going through health battles.
Andy said the charity’s work has made him understand the necessity for children to get the help they need to thrive.
He told the Sunday
Mail: “We’ve seen a huge difference in the kids that have come through our programme.
“We’ve put on football camps and they get lunch there, we’ve given them packed lunches so we know they are getting fed every time they come to us.
“We’ve had young adults doing these programmes and I’ve seen them from the first week until week eight or week 12 and the confidence and personalities coming out is amazing to see.
“But it’s not overly complicated things that we’re doing.
“It’s just giving them a bit of life skills, basic stuff.”
AR26 is currently putting on summer football camps up and down the country with professional coaches.
Andy said he understands the difference this can make when children are off school.
He said: “When you have these six weeks of summer, some kids are fortunate enough that they can go on holiday but not everyone.
“That’s why things like football camps, not just ones from my charity but up and down the country, can give kids something to look forward to, have fun and something to smile about.
“From our charity, when we look back at the journey we’ve been on, the kids always leave in a better place and smiling – that’s what we are doing it for.”
The charity’s Hope
For Youths scheme has helped young adults find training, education and employment through a series of support and mentor programmes.