‘I want to be a helping hand’: Raheem Sterling to create charity for disadvantaged young people

Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling has confirmed he is setting up a new charity to support disadvantaged young people.

The foundation – which Sterling revealed in an interview with The Sunday Times – could enjoy backing of over £10 million, with contributions coming from City, personal sponsors, and the footballer himself.

“If there is a university they want to go to, football equipment they need, other things… I want to be a helping hand,” Sterling stated – adding that he wanted to invest in “individuals who have a drive to succeed, but are held back by circumstances.”

The project (currently still under development) is another example of a Manchester footballer using their status to instil crucial change and create opportunity – with Sterling’s England teammate Marcus Rashford stepping up his own campaign to end child poverty last week.

Despite being voted down in the House of Commons, Rashford has continued to fight on to extend the provision of free school meals – being listed among the Pride of Britain award recipients.

The United forward has already been handed an MBE and honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester in 2020 for securing food for children throughout the summer.

Now, Sterling’s charity is aiming to support families in similar circumstances.

“I want this to be humongous,” said the footballer.

…”not just humongous for myself but for the people involved.”

Sterling, 25, is currently the highest-paid English player according to the The Times – earning around £15 million per year at the Etihad.

The City striker was named one of the most influential Black Britons in the 2020 Powerlist, having also worked on local projects in the North-West London area of Brent where he was raised.