Foundation CEO delighted by strong response to summer holiday grants

With applications now closed for the Summer Holiday Essentials fund, just under 100 ex-players have received grants from The Players Foundation to support their families with the cost of living.

The fund was launched at the beginning of April to provide support to current and former professional footballers who are experiencing financial hardship and required extra support over the forthcoming summer period.

In total, more than £130,000 in grants has been distributed by the charity, to help with holiday clubs, childcare, school uniforms and essential living costs at a particularly expensive time of year.

David Harrison, Chief Executive of The Players Foundation, was delighted by the success of the fund: ‘Anything like this that gives ex-players and their families some breathing space can only be a huge help. We are all aware of the current cost of living pressures that everyone faces, and we want to offer support where we can.

‘The number of applications that we received for Summer Holiday Essentials shows how valuable these grants can be. We have deliberately targeted this support at those who need it most and the positive response illustrates how much it was needed.’

In September, the Foundation will be launching its Student Living Expense grants for the second year in a row, with the aim of supporting players who are making the move into full-time university education.

More details will be available on the Foundation’s website from September 1^st onwards – www.theplayersfoundation.org