8月24日
Arsenal launch fundraising attempt for TreeHouse
Arsenal Manager Arsène Wenger and first team players Gilberto and Gael Clichy, today helped launch the Club’s bid to help raise £250,000 for its official charity of the season, TreeHouse, at an event held at the charity’s school in North London.
The launch event which was held in Muswell Hill outlined how the Club plan to hit a £250k target, the figure required to build much needed sports facilities at TreeHouse’s new National Centre for Autism Education currently under construction.
Arsène Wenger said at the launch: “It’s great to be here today and get involved in the launch of the Club’s partnership with TreeHouse. We hope throughout the season we can raise enough funds to help build the sports facilities, but to also raise more awareness and understanding of autism and the need for good education.”
TreeHouse, which celebrates its tenth birthday this year, takes over as Arsenal’s nominated charity from the Willow Foundation, a partnership which managed to raise over £200,000.
Gilberto, said: “As a team we will do all we can to support TreeHouse this season and help provide the children with the state of the art sports facilities planned for the new centre. Along with the fans’ huge support which we receive every year, I’m sure we can reach our target.”
TreeHouse co-founder, Nick Hornby, said: “This season is particularly special for me because my club has chosen to support the charity closest to my heart — TreeHouse. My eldest son Danny attends TreeHouse’s school. It’s an amazing place that has changed the lives of all the kids lucky enough to attend it and the lives of their families too. Our long-term goal is to ensure that all children with autism receive the same quality of education that my son is getting. I am thrilled that Arsenal is helping us to achieve just that.”
Working alongside Arsenal, TreeHouse will be able to build much-needed awareness and understanding of autism and the crucial need for good education. At the same time, TreeHouse is offering its expertise in autism education to enhance Arsenal’s community and disability programmes. The Club and charity are discussing jointly delivering autism information and training to schools and creating inclusive sports opportunities for youngsters with autism.
Over the coming months Arsenal and TreeHouse will develop a programme of activities, all details of which will be announced in matchday programmes and on Arsenal.com.