Ex-Liverpool defender Carragher praises Ardonagh Retail boss

Former defender Jamie Carragher has praised Ian Donaldson for his efforts in helping raising more than £1m for the charity Football For Change.

Donaldson, who is the chief executive of Ardonagh Retail, was one of the founding sponsors of the charity, which was set up with the help of Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold and ex-Reds player Carragher.

A statement released yesterday (27 November 2023) said that since its establishment in 2021, it has raised £1.1m.

The milestone was celebrated at the recent 2023 Football For Change Gala at Manchester’s Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground.

Carragher said that Donaldson’s commitment to the charity “had been fantastic”.

“He was one of the first people to back us when we launched in 2021,” he added.

“He is passionate about helping young people get on in life and is doing that through this incredible cause.”

The charity

Football For Change aims to provide better life chances for disadvantaged young people across the UK by funding life-changing programmes in education, sports and employment.

Donaldson got involved after being motivated by his own childhood experiences growing up in Stoke-on-Trent.

“Football For Change is making a huge difference in breaking down the barriers to opportunity for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds,” he said.

“In less than three years, hundreds of young people have been given support through programmes in education, employment and sport, which is helping them build brighter futures.

“It’s a fantastic initiative and one that I am proud to say we have been a part of from the beginning and this year’s gala event was bigger and better than ever before.”