Arsenal star Santi Cazorla has backed a South London charity running a crowdfunding campaign to establish a youth-led football channel on YouTube.
The Spanish international midfielder was announced as a patron of Football Beyond Borders this week. The football charity, which runs educational projects reaching young people in Brixton and some of South London’s most deprived areas, has also been endorsed by Sky Sports pundit Guillem Balague.
Volunteers from the charity hope to raise £7,500 to set up FBB TV, an online platform that will help the charity’s young members to film, produce and star in their own videos. The project, which aims to tackle the lack of diversity in the media industry, whilst helping young people to get a foothold in the sector, will target 13-25-year-olds from minority ethnic communities.
Football Beyond Borders founder Jasper Kain said: “FBB TV will develop the potential of the next generation of pundits, presenters and producers by bringing together household names in football with budding young talents.
“As an aspiring filmmaker myself I was lucky enough to have access to key networks and guidance to get a foothold in the profession. FBB TV will provide a more inclusive platform for young people from all backgrounds to learn these valuable skills and develop their talent.”
Commenting on Santi Cazorla’s decision to become a patron of the charity Sky Sports pundit Guillem Balague said: “I am delighted that Santi has agreed to join the team. His journey towards football stardom is an inspiration to our young people and a clear example of the merits of hard work and commitment. He is already looking forward to getting involved in the charity’s hugely worthwhile projects.”
To celebrate the announcement, Football Beyond Borders will host a charity fundraising dinner with the Arsenal star and Guillem Balague, at Café Football in London on April 9th. The venue will host a three-course dinner, a Q & A session with Cazorla and Balague, as well as a fundraising auction of sporting memorabilia.
All proceeds will go towards raising funds for FBB TV and Football Beyond Borders school tours to Spain and Germany.
Follow @FBeyondBorders on Twitter for more details.
Story doesn’t say how much Santi Cazorla has contributed himself towards the target. Perhaps he wants to keep it quiet.