250 kids take part in charity U10’s football festival

The Paul Lavelle Foundation held it’s first-ever seven aside U10’s Football Festival Saturday 19 June at Shaftesbury Youth Club, Birkenhead. 

Twenty-five local teams entered the seven-a-side tournament, meaning that about 250 kids were involved in the day’s activities.

Nicola Cullen, Assistant Charity Manager and coordinator of the event said, “It was community spirit at its finest. Massive thanks to Liam and Sarah McDonell, Janice & Debbie from Shaftesbury Youth Club for hosting our tournament and making it run so smoothly.  Thanks to all who came, from coaches, players to referees and parents.  It certainly was a great day for all the children.”

After the devastating loss of Paul Lavelle in a domestic abuse incident in 2017, friends and family of Paul came together to create The Paul Lavelle Foundation. The Charity was created to raise awareness of male domestic abuse, support male victims and survivors and provide healthy relationship education as a preventative measure.

The Charity was registered in April 2018 with the intention of raising awareness to male domestic abuse through sports and outdoor activities. Due to the gap in service for support for males experiencing domestic abuse, the response to the Foundation grew considerably.  The charity’s office was opened in February 2019 by Barbara Lavelle and Neville Southall, the organisation was established and has grown from strength to strength ever since.  

After nearly 2 years of hard work, 2020 saw the start of the delivery of the organisation’s activities. The first Healthy Relationship Education workshops in schools, the community sports and activity groups for physical and mental health and well-being and on the 15 July, the Foundation achieved its ultimate aim by opening the first dedicated frontline support service for male domestic abuse in the area.

Charity Manager, Sharne Williams said, “Part of our mission today at our Football Festival was to deliver our Charity’s aim of healthy relationship education to young people.”

“Due to its success and thanks to Shaftesbury Youth Club offering us their facilities again, we are hoping to put on another tournament next year but open it up to more age groups.  This was our first trial one!”