‘I love it, a billion per cent!’ | Excitement as Donley visits Foundation’s Easter holiday camps
An Easter holiday break packed full of activities for local children, young people and families has culminated in a surprise visit by Jamie Donley.
Tottenham Hotspur Foundation has been running football, NFL FLAG and multi-sports sessions at Duke’s Aldridge Academy, against the backdrop of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, this week.
Participants have come from the Foundation’s Premier League Kicks and Huddle Project programmes, as well as Haringey Council’s Holiday Activities and Food programme.
Among those taking part when 19-year-old forward Jamie visited on Thursday were Ella from Haringey and Kyan from Enfield.
Ella, 13, said: “It was really nice meeting Jamie. We discussed a bit about who he plays with and when he started.
“This is one of many amazing opportunities the Foundation offers. I’ve brought along a few of my friends to activities before because it’s a good community, where you feel included, it’s fun and you make new friends.
“It’s also good this is free, with free lunches sometimes, because people can be less fortunate and are not necessarily able to afford other activities like these.”
Spurs fan Kyan added: “It was just a joy to meet Jamie, like a dream come true. We took pictures with him and it was just like ‘Wow!’… I don’t know how to explain it. If I had to rate the Foundation activities, I’d say 10/10. I love it, a billion per cent!”
Jamie said: “This was a fun experience for me. It’s really good these activities are happening for free, giving kids who maybe wouldn’t have access to facilities like this, so close to the stadium, the chance to have fun. The main thing at this age is to enjoy it. I could see they were and it was great to be a part of that.”
Earlier in the Easter holidays, the Foundation ran a family fun day in partnership with the Metropolitan Police. Events like these take place thanks to funding from various supporters, including the players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Meanwhile, teams made up of Premier League Kicks participants have represented the Foundation at tournaments in Brentford and at Douglas Eyre Sports Centre, with both claiming the winners’ trophies.
Premier League Kicks, funded by the Premier League through the Premier League Charitable Fund, uses the power of football and sport to inspire young people to reach their potential, in some of the most high-need areas in England and Wales.
There are regional tournaments for participants each year and, having won in Brentford, the Foundation team will progress to the Premier League Kicks Cup finals at St George’s Park in July.
The local tournament was organised by the Foundation to simultaneously educate players around No Room for Racism, as Yves Bissouma found out when he paid a visit.
Another group of Premier League Kicks participants were treated to an educational visit to the Lippitts Hill base of the National Police Air Service, where they got to see a police helicopter.
To find out more about and register for Foundation activities, email thf.activities@tottenhamhotspur.com