Consett lad off to Africa
A football fan from north Durham is using his skills to coach youngsters in Africa during a three-month volunteering project. (Photo credit: CBF)
Mark Maughan, from Consett, has been chosen to go to Sierra Leone to coach children at former Newcastle United ace Craig Bellamy’s sports academy.
The 21-year-old theatre assistant will be helping a team of volunteers who have been running the Craig Bellamy Foundation (CBF) since it was launched by the footballer in 2007.
Mr Maughan said: “I applied for that, not really knowing too much about it and the week after that I watched a programme on TV explaining all about the foundation.
“From watching that I knew I wanted to go out there and work with them because what they do with the kids is brilliant.”
Bellamy set up the foundation after visiting a friend in the West African nation and seeing the poverty youngsters live in He set about launching the football academy which offers underprivileged children the chance to reach their potential through sport and education.
Mark said: “I’m really looking forward to working with the children in Sierra Leone.
“But I’m a Sunderland fan so I’m hoping to take some Sunderland shirts out with me to give out to the children.”
Mark now has to fund his own travel and living expenses so he is hosting a series of fundraising events over the next month.
On March 30 he has organised a charity day at Decades nightclub in Consett. For families, there will be a children’s party and disco from 7pm to 9pm with wristbands costing £2.
From 11pm onwards Mark is hosting the Reunion Charity Night, which is open to former students from St Bede’s School in Lanchester who want enjoy an old style sixth form party, with wristbands priced at £2.50.
Courtesy of The Northern Echo, UK
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