The person who donates the most sponsorship to me will receive an official Premier League football, signed by the starting line-up of the Everton team from the match against Charlton Athletic, 15th April 2007 (we won 2-1 with a McFadden screamer in the dying minutes). To be eligible, leave a contact email address in a comment when donating and I will get back to you. For my convenience, could you start your comment with "BBC", if you want the chance to get this football. I will be adding up the totals of all donations you make, if you think someone has "outbid" you.

 

I, Ian Miller, will be throwing myself (or be thrown out; as I cling, in vain, onto the doorframe) out of a plane from two miles up. I will then be hurtling towards the, fast approaching, ground at 120 mph whilst strapped to a big, burly bloke, who, probably preferring rugby to football, will be making awkward jokes to distract me from the fact that the whole experience isn't natural. The parachute will then open when we are approximately 5,000 ft from the ground and I aim to descend with as much grace as possible (similar to Terry Darracott going in for a challenge). All of this is in aid of children across Merseyside in the name of The Everton Foundation.

The work that they do has the backing of Andy Burnham MP (Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport), and their main sponsor is Everton Football Club. It is through their work with disabled children and adults (offering over 10,000 opportunities and working with over 60 schools across Merseyside), the Liverpool Schools Sports Partnership (providing every primary school in the city of Liverpool with a team of 35 professional coaches), volunteers (over 130 dedicated representatives contributing in excess of 5,000 hours each year), health education programmes (the Healthy Schools Bus and Hoops 4 Health, delivered by the Everton Tigers), social inclusion schemes ("Kickz", working in hot-spot areas of the city to eradicate crime and anti-social behaviour), and women (The Womens and Girls programme in affiliation with Everton Ladies), that they aim to improve the lives of people across Merseyside by providing them with sporting opportunities.

For these reasons, and many more, I am proud to call myself an Evertonian and hope that many of you out there will be compelled to donate above and beyond the suggested £10. Needless to say, all monies raised will go to a good cause, and The Everton Foundation aims to transcend divisions of club allegiances for the sake of those who, otherwise, would not be presented with the chances that they provide. The jump is taking place in Whitchurch on Saturday 10th October and, if all goes well, I will see you on the terraces at the next home game! Lower Bullens, Block G.

Many thanks,
Ian Miller

 

THE EVERTON FOUNDATION
passionate about sport | compassionate about people

"We have very strong community links and we are constantly out and about working with various groups in the local area." - David Moyes

In order to fulfil our potential and achieve success through our community projects, The Everton Foundation has set a very clear mission statement, which is: to be the best sporting charity in the UK. It has the following objectives; to build a bridge between Everton Football Club and the local community, winning the hearts and minds throughout the region, and; to harness the power of sport to motivate, educate and inspire our local community by offering programmes that will make a difference across Merseyside.

"More children now take part in sport and physical activity who had previously been unable to due to limited teacher knowledge, time or confidence." - Adella Ball (Liverpool Schools Sports Partnership)

And it's not just sporting activities. Did you know?

"Kickz" has helped reduce crime and antisocial behaviour by up to 25% in Anfield.
25,000 young people have visited the Healthy Schools Bus and learnt about healthy lifestyles and exercise.
Everton Ladies won their 1st piece of silverware for 10 years in the 2007/8 season winning the women's Premier League Cup.
The Everton Foundation established the 1st Men's Mental Health Football League in Merseyside; 100 players signed up across 10 teams.
The Extra Time Study Centre is a state-of-the-art learning centre that engages 450 children per year.
81% of disability schools have reported an improvement in children's concentration skills.
95% of disability schools engaged in the past 12 months reported an improvement in children's co-ordination and movement skills.
The Liverpool Schools Sport Partnership has resulted in over 32,000 children in Liverpool accessing 9,450 sessions.
4 of The Everton Foundation's disability players are representing Great Britain in the Deaflympics in Chinese Taipei in September 2009.
In only their second season, Everton Tigers won the BBL Cup and finished 2nd in the BBL league.

 

If that's not reason enough to give, I don't know what is. Perhaps the thought that you're contributing towards getting me thrown out of an aircraft?

 

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