Liverpool Echo: Bellamy on his return to Sierra Leone

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Craig Bellamy has already got his summer holidays sorted. At the end of June the Liverpool FC frontman will spend a week at Disney Soccer Academy's state-of-the-art facilities in Florida, but prior to that he has a more pressing engagement in contrasting surroundings.

Bellamy is heading back to Sierra Leone to check up on the work being carried out by his charitable foundation.

The 32-year-old's involvement in the West African country began in 2007 when he visited a friend from Cardiff who was working in the timber trade.

Stunned by the scale of the poverty, he decided to do something about it and since then he has ploughed more than £1.2million of his own cash into the Craig Bellamy Foundation.

It has established a flourishing national league and runs the only professional football academy in Sierra Leone, offering youngsters not only coaching but also an education.

With a women's league being launched and new dormitories having been built in readiness for September's second intake of students into the Academy, there are big plans for the future.

"I'm going back there in June and I can't wait for it," Bellamy told the ECHO.

"I just feel blessed to be able to go there. In football, we are shipped in and out of top hotels and we don't really get to see places.

"No disrespect to a place like Sierra Leone, but it's the kind of place we wouldn't usually go to. It would be very difficult.

"I'm not different and I think anyone else in my shoes would have done exactly the same. I'm very fortunate to be able to do this.

"It's been my biggest achievement. Just being there has a big affect on me. If a lot more people went out there, they would be doing exactly the same as me."

Having provided the finance to get the Foundation off the ground, Bellamy is now looking to secure sponsorship to cover the running costs. He has been boosted by the assistance of US sportswear company Warrior Sports, who will become Liverpool FC's kit supplier in June after signing a six-year deal worth £25million per year.

Warrior will provide kit for the Academy in Tombo and will also sponsor the women's league.

"Getting the support of Warrior is brilliant as funding is always difficult in a place like Sierra Leone," Bellamy said.

"The Foundation has got to be self sufficient at some point.

"It can't keep coming from my wages because unfortunately I won't be able to keep playing football for the rest of my life.

"Partnerships with the likes of Warrior are key to sustaining it beyond my football career."

Bellamy's business advisor Phil Baker was in Sierra Leone last week to take a look at the recent developments. He saw for himself the huge impact the Foundation has had in a country which was ravaged by civil war.

"There are 44 teams involved in the under-14 and U16 boys leagues and now there's the launch of the women's league for under-16 and under-20 teams," Baker said.

"All the teams are provided with kit and their own coach.

"There's a great love for football but the rule is they can only play in the league if they go to school. That has led to a huge leap in attendance rates, from around 25% in general to 95% in the teams.

"The top 16 players were selected for the Academy and we're taking another 16 in September. Craig has built the Academy, the classrooms, the dormitories and the grass pitch. It all contributes to the regeneration of the country."

They are at the Academy from the age of 11 to 16 and the hope is that some will go on to study in the UK and USA, and secure professional contracts.

The Foundation are recruiting for volunteers. They want qualified and/or experienced English, maths and science teachers, as well as a physiotherapist and office manager. Positions are unpaid but living expenses and accommodation are covered.

To apply email a CV & covering letter to info@craigbellamyfoundation.org detailing how you could contribute and the dates you are available.

Click here to offer sponsorship>>

Source: Liverpool Echo

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.