The Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation

The Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation When the charity first started, our work to address the legacy of conflict was focused on landmines and the explosive remnants of war.

The Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation is a UK registered charity (no.1140911) for victims of conflict that was founded in 2011 by football legend Sir Bobby Charlton. This took the form of: developing new technologies that would make the removal of landmines quicker and safer; mine risk education for the most vulnerable communities where the presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance continue to thr

eaten lives on a daily basis; and work to improve surgical techniques and prosthetics for those who had suffered explosive blast injuries and limb loss. This work continues today and has delivered some impressive results. However, following a review in 2017 we have recognised that there is more we can and must do to support conflict affected communities more directly. As a result of listening to our beneficiaries & partners, and studying the impact of war on civilian populations, we now work more holistically on conflict recovery and take an asset based approach to those we aim to support. We have added humanitarian and development projects to our programmes and now conduct a wider range of training for conflict affected communities. One of the key mechanisms for delivering these interventions are the network of conflict recovery centres that we are developing in war torn countries. While all conflicts have economic, social, environmental and cultural consequences for communities, each situation and community is unique and the conflict recovery centres are an asset that can be shaped to the particular needs and aspirations of people in each location.

We are proud to tell you about our latest initiative in Cambodia, bringing together the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation an...
24/08/2026

We are proud to tell you about our latest initiative in Cambodia, bringing together the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation and Spirit of Soccer.

In communities affected by conflict, football goes on regardless, providing a powerful constant in uncertain times. Through this partnership, we create safe spaces for children to play, learn, and simply be children again.

Spirit of Soccer uses football as a tool for education and protection, helping young people develop life skills while also delivering vital safety awareness programmes. Alongside this, they train local people to become qualified coaches, creating opportunity within their communities.

This work is especially important today. Ongoing tensions along the Cambodia-Thailand border have displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians and brought fear and violence to the region.

For children and young people, these sessions provide relief from the realities of this conflict - a chance to feel safe, supported, and hopeful. A ball, a pitch, and a team can make all the difference.

Together, we believe in the power of football to restore normality, build confidence, and create brighter futures.

The remarkable moments captured along The Beautiful Game Tour reveal the true strength of community football. Each clubs...
18/08/2026

The remarkable moments captured along The Beautiful Game Tour reveal the true strength of community football. Each clubs drive vital everyday work, creating secure environments and uniting people through a shared love of the sport.

Cambridge United Foundation: Tackling harmful stereotypes at a formative age within the Pledge United programme, pioneered by Inspire FC and delivered by Cambridge United Foundation, sparking vital conversations and empowering young boys to shift attitudes, highlights the life-changing impact of community work.

Mansfield Town Community Trust: Tommy's multi-year journey through consistent football camps highlights the powerful, ongoing impact of giving young people a positive environment to grow, build friendships, and develop through sport.

Nottingham Forest Foundation: Through Premier League Primary Stars, Year 1 pupil Mija overcame extreme shyness on the sidelines through patient coaching, going on to become a confident team captain and leader in her wider school life.

These are true stories of hope, growth, and connection.

The Beautiful Game Tour honors the memory of Sir Bobby Charlton, striving to ensure every child finds a safe place to play. Although the tour has concluded, there is still time to donate and help children just like these.

If you would like to help keep that vision alive, please donate here: https://f.mtr.cool/pvyilzpudf

The Beautiful Game Tour team has officially reached club 92, bringing this remarkable journey to a close. Stretching acr...
16/08/2026

The Beautiful Game Tour team has officially reached club 92, bringing this remarkable journey to a close. Stretching across 1,600 miles, countless memories, and moments the team will never forget. Everyone is left reflecting on the extraordinary people keeping the heart of football alive.

Barrow AFC: Reached after a punishing 44.4-mile ride through the Lake District without van support, where Ricky and the team made the visitors feel genuinely welcome, capping the stop off with an older adults movement session and a Kellogg's Summer School.

Newcastle United: Welcomed at St James' Park by Andy and Helen, where the team paused for photos by the iconic Sir Bobby Robson statue before touring Nucastle, the Foundation's brilliant facility highlighting the immense social purpose of football foundations.

Sunderland AFC: Arrived at the stunning 20 million pound Beacon of Light, where Jaime showcased a landmark facility that brilliantly engages local businesses and philanthropists to serve over 2,000 people every week with a wonderfully passionate team.

Middlesbrough FC: Celebrated the emotional finish line after a 30-mile ride from Seaham, greeted by a cheering crowd with fizz, special guests John and Collette Crossen with their homemade lemon drizzle cake, and a first look at the Foundation's new Southlands facility.

This journey is a powerful reminder of how football can unite us all.

A massive thank you to John and the team, all the welcoming clubs and foundations, everyone who has cheered the team on in person and online, and to every generous donation. All the support has truly meant the world to the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation team ❤️

Now that the tour is complete, every single donation makes a massive difference as John and the team reflect on the finish line and strive to raise as much as possible for this incredible cause. Please read more, and donate here: https://f.mtr.cool/kmueqdkzjk

12/08/2026

It's a wrap!

Our Trustee and former Manchester United Foundation CEO, John Shiels BE, has finally brought the pedals to a halt after cycling over 1600 miles in two months.

Leaving Manchester in heavy rain in June, he's cycled up hill and down dale, battled through the heatwaves, and called on all 92 professional clubs across England and Wales. A remarkable journey around our football community, raising the profile of the challenges which face our children who love football but cannot afford to play.

Sir Bobby believed in the right of every child to be able to play football. The hard yards of John and his team were inspired by this mission: give more children more access to free football. Just let them play.

John has raised significant funds for Sir Bobby's Foundation to invest in making this happen. They have been supported by the Premier League, the Football Association, the Professional Footballers' Associations, 92 clubs, and hundreds of individuals along the way.

Please, we ask you, please: add your support by donating to the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation to help us reach our target and in turn reach those kids who need our help: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/thesbcbeautifulgametour

Thank you to John and his team, and to all of you who have shown your support for the power of the Beautiful Game to change lives for the better.

Through The Beautiful Game Tour, we have witnessed incredible journeys showing how local clubs enrich lives and strength...
11/08/2026

Through The Beautiful Game Tour, we have witnessed incredible journeys showing how local clubs enrich lives and strengthen communities daily.

It is deeply moving to see how these clubs serve as the true heartbeat in England and Wales, going far beyond the pitch to secure safe spaces where children can play, grow, and thrive.

Palace for Life Foundation: Through Premier League Kicks, 18-year-old Jesse overcame intense gang pressure after moving to Croydon from Uganda, going on to become a mentor, Young Leader, and flag bearer at Selhurst Park.

Watford FC CSE Trust: Named Community Champion - Youth, Jeffrey’s eight-year journey with Premier League Kicks spans team captaincy, youth board leadership, speaking at Wembley and a TedX talk, showcasing the power of long-term youth engagement.

Salford City FC Foundation: Bobby's journey from attending weekly park sessions to representing the organisation as a confident panellist highlights the life-changing impact of community-based support and mentoring.

Blackpool FC Community Trust: Harry's journey from overcoming fears as a nervous four-year-old through patient coaching to being scouted by the Pre-Academy highlights the life-changing impact of community football.

A sincere thank you to each club, these are real testaments to Hope, Growth, and Football.

Dedicated to Sir Bobby Charlton's memory, the tour strives to ensure every child has access to a safe environment to play.

To help us carry that mission forward, please support us here: https://f.mtr.cool/zvriortghb

With just two days left and three clubs remaining to visit, The Beautiful Game Tour is reaching its final moments. Cover...
10/08/2026

With just two days left and three clubs remaining to visit, The Beautiful Game Tour is reaching its final moments.

Covering England and Wales to improve children's lives through football would not be possible without our amazing community.

Thank you to all supporters and donors, as well as the clubs, foundations, and everyone the team has met along the way. The support online and in person has been truly overwhelming.

Every donation helps provide children with safe places to play, dedicated mentors, and positive environments to build social skills, confidence, and a brighter future through the love of football, all while honouring the legacy of Sir Bobby Charlton.

As these final 48 hours tick down, every contribution means the world in helping finish this incredible journey strong for the children who need it most.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

To learn more or support the mission, please visit here: https://f.mtr.cool/wtefrsvkky

As the Beautiful Game Tour enters its final week, reflecting on incredible support and unforgettable stories of clubs tr...
10/08/2026

As the Beautiful Game Tour enters its final week, reflecting on incredible support and unforgettable stories of clubs transforming children's lives through the power of football.

Bradford City AFC: Welcomed by Lizzie, who expertly managed a last-minute meeting while juggling twelve years of deep community insight, alongside a tour of the Foundation Hub and a game of pool where John managed to fluke an unbelievable win.

Leeds United: Met Michael at iconic Elland Road, where standing among statues of club legends like Don Revie and Billy Bremner touched the team deeply, capped off when Michael kindly presented John with a Leeds United shirt and they tackled the shared challenge of charity fundraising.

Harrogate Town AFC: Reached after a physically brutal 31-mile climb through the North Yorkshire Fells with the help of Paul Faz, meeting Lyndsey and her team who offered inspiring optimism despite last season's relegation.

Barnsley Town FC : Lifted spirits immediately as Laura and a group of vibrant summer-camp kids greeted the team with brilliant artwork, touring a buzzing shared campus alongside special guests Geraldine and Ken.

Doncaster Rovers Football Club: Reached via a 20-mile cycle path escorted by the club’s fantastic community cycling group, where Lauren and Tom welcomed the team to an impressive Health and Wellbeing space and gym that made John wish he was starting out all over again.

Blackburn Rovers: Welcomed by Gary, who brings over 20 years of dedication to the community game across Preston and Blackburn, and who kindly gifted John a Blackburn Community Trust t-shirt that meant a lot.

Accrington Stanley: Visited Martin and the Stanley team to tour their incredible new purpose-built facility, buzzing with children enjoying the HAF camp, classrooms, indoor sports hall, and upcoming padel courts.

Burnley Football Club: Met Helen and Ben, both proud alumni of the Bobby Charlton Soccer Schools, at historic Turf Moor, alongside a powerful presentation from 20-year Parachute Regiment veteran Billy leading their thriving veterans program.

This journey is a powerful reminder of how football unites us all.

With only days left on the tour, every single donation makes a massive difference as John and the team cross the finish line and strive to raise as much as possible for this incredible cause. Please read more, and donate here: https://f.mtr.cool/hgcnevjnsh

The stories from The Beautiful Game Tour have been nothing short of extraordinary, proving the incredible power of clubs...
05/08/2026

The stories from The Beautiful Game Tour have been nothing short of extraordinary, proving the incredible power of clubs beyond the pitch.

These clubs are driving vital work, building safe spaces and strengthening communities every single day, showing us all what it means to bring people together through sport.

West Ham United Foundation: From building confidence through their Training Ground+ programme to gaining valuable life skills at The Foundry, Steven Martin's journey to winning the Rising Star Award highlights the life-changing impact of community work.

Cardiff City FC Community Foundation: Coach Grace designed a 6-week football intervention through Premier League Primary Stars, empowering 8-year-old Ahmed to use his walker and run alongside peers in PE despite living with cerebral palsy.

Swindon Town FC Community Foundation: Through the DSActive programme, the club's Down's Syndrome team lived out a dream by playing a half-time match at the County Ground in front of thousands of fans, complete with a stadium tour and a standing ovation.

These are true stories of Hope, Growth, and Football.

The Beautiful Game Tour is held in loving memory of Sir Bobby Charlton, working to make sure every child has a safe place to play.

If you would like to help us keep that vision alive, please donate here: https://f.mtr.cool/zrnaclgync

🏆 The Final Countdown: Just One Week Left of The Beautiful Game Tour!We can't quite believe it, but we are down to the f...
05/08/2026

🏆 The Final Countdown: Just One Week Left of The Beautiful Game Tour!

We can't quite believe it, but we are down to the final seven days of this incredible journey to 92 professional clubs in England and Wales.

It has been an absolute privilege to reflect Sir Bobby Charlton’s love of the beautiful game, connecting with so many amazing supporters, donors, clubs and foundations along the way. Every story we've heard and every child we’ve met has reinforced the power of football to provide a positive environment for children to play, learn, build social skills and make friends.

We are grateful to everyone who has welcomed the team, cheered them on, and donated to support their mission to improve children's lives.

Let’s make this final week count! If you’ve been meaning to show your support, now is the time. Every contribution helps continue Sir Bobby’s legacy and change children's lives through football.

🔗 Visit the link to donate and follow our final stretch: https://f.mtr.cool/fdfyluwmgd

A Huge Thank You From the Sir Bobby Charlton TeamThis incredible mission, cycling round 92 clubs in England and Wales to...
03/08/2026

A Huge Thank You From the Sir Bobby Charlton Team

This incredible mission, cycling round 92 clubs in England and Wales to improve children's lives through football, would not be possible without our amazing community.

Thank you to all our supporters and donors, as well as the clubs, foundations and everyone the Team has met along the way - your support has been fantastic.

Every donation helps us honour the legacy of Sir Bobby Charlton by providing children with safe places to play, dedicated mentors, and positive environments to build social skills, confidence, and a brighter future through the love of football.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us.

To learn more or support our mission, please visit here: https://f.mtr.cool/glmvucmiks

Address

Bartle House, 9 Oxford Court
Greater Manchester
M23WQ

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

01565 757 793

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