Getty ImagesEverton’s under-23 squad are buying a house for young homeless people
In the age of footballers commanding multi-million pound salaries only to splurge it all on diamond-encrusted garden furniture, gold-plated hover boards, and designer washbags made from the skin of a T-Rex - let’s take a minute to applaud Everton’s under-23 squad.
What is effectively the Toffees’ reserve team have raised £244,400 to buy a house that will provide a home for young people at risk of homelessness.
The house will give 16-23 year-olds in Liverpool, who are struggling or leaving care, a place to stay and offer health advice, education and training.
The initial fundraising target was £230,000 but the squad surpassed that, going to all sorts of lengths to raise the cash:
The team’s coach, former Everton defender (and king of the penalty-takers) David Unsworth, said: “We’ve done something special and we will continue to help, support and fund the project. It’s just great to be able to help people who are less fortunate than ourselves.
“To be able to finish the project and help the people in Liverpool who need it most, it’s the best and most rewarding thing I’ve ever done."
In November last year, the full under-23 squad slept rough in the stands of Goodison Park - on what turned out to be the coldest night of the year - to launch the ‘Home is Where The Heart Is’ project.
The project is now looking for a house close to the club’s Goodison Park ground that will fit the bill, and offer young people in the city a secure home.
