Louis James
Louis's JD Back Garden Charity Football Fundraiser
Fundraising for Eton Action
Story
Having grown up playing football in Oxfordshire, in particular playing for Oxford City FC for five years, a stone’s throw from Blackbird Leys, the most dangerous small town in Oxfordshire, I know what a difference playing sport can make.
I saw firsthand the importance football played in people’s lives, giving them focus, friendships and self-esteem, as it certainly did for me.
The Playing Fields Legacy Fund is a charity established by the late Angus Irvine in 2012, prompted by what he felt was a failure of the 2012 London Olympics to provide the promised legacy for the grassroots sport.
Over a period of five years the charity, led by Angus, raised hundreds of thousands of pounds and invested the funds into vital facilities for scores of local sports clubs, including clubs in East Oxford.
Fundamental to the way Angus ran the fund was a passion for maximizing resources for grassroots sport, helping volunteers develop community sports facilities, and enabling team sports to reach many more deprived young people who might otherwise be attracted by gangs or anti-social behaviour.
Sadly, Angus passed away in 2015 but since his death, the work has continued, led by the committed trustees of the charity and by his children and grandchildren.
I hope to raise more funds through my five-a-side football tournament so that the Angus Irvine Playing Fields Fund can continue supporting grassroots sports financially.
I had the privilege of knowing Angus Irvine when I was growing up and I know how thrilled he would have been that his campaign was carrying on, which makes me all the more passionate about the charity. I hope you will join me in continuing his legacy.
Image above: Frank Sale, Angus Irvine's eldest grandson who now runs the charity, and Louis James
