Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Jamie Carragher and Trent Alexander-Arnold at the Football For Change gala at the Titanic Hotel on Saturday November 2, 2024

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard says Football For Change is making "a massive difference" to disadvantaged communities across the North West as the charitable initiative announced its first round of 2025 funding.

And FFC chair Jamie Carragher believes the grants are the first significant step towards creating lasting change across the region for young people.

Since its inception in 2021, Football For Change, in partnership with the Community Foundation for Lancashire and Merseyside, has raised over £1.1million, using sports stars and business leaders to empower NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) young people and those facing social and economic hardship.



Article continues below

As chair, Reds icon Carragher has been instrumental to the organisation's growth over the last four years and the latest round of funding will go towards helping over a dozen recipients, including Steven Gerrard Academy's Dallas Cup Initiative, which aims to take teams to the prestigious youth football cup in the United States.

READ MORE:Liverpool announce Asia pre-season tour plans with AC Milan clash lined upREAD MORE:Jordan Henderson was fined after walking out of Liverpool team meeting - 'He just left us'

The work between FFC and the Steven Gerrard Academy aims to support those from low-income households in attending the Texas tournament.

Football For Change is helping to change the lives of disadvantaged young people for the better.

Football For Change is helping to change the lives of disadvantaged young people for the better.

It’s a project that truly makes a difference, and now more than ever, initiatives like this are crucial in helping young people turn their lives around.”

Rae Brooke, CEO of the Community Foundation for Lancashire and Merseyside, which manages the fund, commented: “The impact of this funding cannot be overstated.

The work Jamie, Trent, Conor and others have done with Football For Change since launching this with us has been inspiring.”

FFC holds two annual events aimed at uniting international footballers, business leaders, and celebrities in major fundraising efforts to support young people affected by social and economic disadvantages.

Football For Change's first round of 2025 funding will go towards helping Steven Gerrard Academy's Dallas Cup initiatives, among other causes

The initiative focuses on raising awareness and funds to help transform the lives of young people through education, mentorship, training, and sports programmes, while last November's event also helped raise funds that were distributed to Zoe's Place children's hospice.

Previous events have been supported by the likes of Gerrard, Peter Crouch and Wayne Rooney and Football For Change's 2024 gala was sponsored by property developer Legacie, SHEIN and Destinology holidays.