Member organisation Professional Liverpool, which represents Liverpool city region’s professional and business services sector has made Everton in the Community its Charity of the Year

Professional Liverpool has joined forces with Everton FC’s official charity, Everton in the Community, to help provide support for communities throughout the city region.

The collaboration will run until the end of 2021 and will see Professional Liverpool adopt Everton in the Community (EITC) as its Charity of the Year, hosting and participating in a number of fundraising initiatives and volunteering opportunities.

It is keen to help the charity raise vital funds to further develop the its 40-plus social programmes that support those most in need, tackling issues such as poverty, mental health, education and employability. 

Professional Liverpool is a member organisation that represents the professional and business services sector across the city region, providing opportunities for its members to learn, connect, belong and grow. 

It will work with the charity to host a series of themed networking events for members based around their shared agendas of mental health and wellbeing, social mobility and equality and diversity.

The events will utilise speakers from EITC as well as key players from Liverpool city region’s professional community, giving the charity a chance to showcase the breadth of its life-changing and life-saving work.  

Andrew Ruffler, chief executive of Professional Liverpool, said: “We’re delighted to be announcing our collaboration with Everton in the Community, which we see as essential in helping us build a stronger organisation that has a positive impact on the people we employ, work with, and represent. 

“Through this collaboration, we are hoping to not only bolster the amazing work Everton in the Community is doing across the city region, but also enabling our members to support and participate in a number of activities.

“These activities will deepen their engagement and understanding of important issues such as social mobility, and promote positive wellbeing during these challenging times we’re experiencing.”

Established in 1988, EITC has grown to be one of the UK’s top sporting charities, helping more than 26,000 vulnerable families and individuals across the Liverpool city region during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lesley Beattie, director of development at EITC, added: “Now, more than ever, our work is integral to improving the lives of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable in our community.

“By Professional Liverpool naming EITC as its Charity of the Year, they are working in tandem with us to improve the health, wellbeing and life chances of those across the region.”