Football vs Poverty (FvP)

Poverty affects a child's development, health, well-being, education, and access to opportunities. Football v Poverty (FVP) recognises this challenge and aims to raise essential funds to enhance high-quality support for disadvantaged children and families in London. The initiative's pilot event served as a powerful showcase to highlight poverty-related issues and establish FVP as an annual fundraising event.

The Flag Football Festival, Merky FC HQ Croydon!
This exciting event, in collaboration with London Youth & The Big Kid Foundation, offered a day of sports, skills, and teamwork. Attendees  enjoyed learning how to play American football and witness a showcase of the impact of Football v Poverty through Communities First.

https://vimeo.com/1067818963/2499d6f5a7?share=copy

FVP: Football with Purpose

FVP leverages football’s power to combat child poverty. The funds raised through FVP will be transformed into grants for organisations supporting those in need.

Why It Matters:
For the last 20 years, London has consistently had the highest rate of poverty in the UK. This fact often seems to surprise people – even those that live there. The wealth and grandeur portrayed in the media and popular culture obscures the extreme levels of hardship that many Londoners face. According to analysis from the Social Metrics Commission (SMC), around 2.5 million Londoners are in poverty. That means they struggling to make ends meet, secure good-quality affordable housing, or tie down the decent work they need to rise above the poverty line. Currently, 700,000 children in London live in poverty, many facing food insecurity and lack of essential hygiene supplies. These challenges impact their health, confidence, and future opportunities.

Why Football?
Football brings people together, strengthens communities, and fosters new opportunities. Every match that was played at the event contributed to a larger movement—raising awareness and vital funds for those who need it most.

What participants done on the day:
Participants explored football’s rich 2,200-year history through games, quizzes, and challenges—including an ancient game from 600 AD! Most importantly, they discovered how football serves as a catalyst for positive change ahead of FVP’s official launch later this year.