EFL clubs have banded together to make a donation of £175,000 to show support to those affected by the tragic Grenfell Tower fire earlier this month
The football community has shown unity towards the cause and earlier today the FA announced their plans to raise £1.25 million for the victims by using the proceeds from the 2017 FA Community Shield between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 6th August.
EFL clubs have been asked to contribute their share of the proceeds from the FA Community Shield alongside a significant donation from the themselves as well.
EFL Chief Executive Shaun Harvey added: “First and foremost, loved ones have been lost and homes destroyed so our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected.
“Tributes must also be made to the emergency services who bravely risked their lives to save others.
“In donating funds from the 2017 FA Community Shield, the football family is coming together to make a significant commitment to the cause.
“Such compassion and commitment is testament to the good will within football and the values it maintains in supporting communities in their times of need.”
The tragedy has touched the hearts of the nation including Queens Park Rangers’ Director of Football, Les Ferdinand.
Loftus Road is only a mile away from the Grenfell Tower in West London, and the R’s responded instantly to the tragedy by using Loftus Road as a collection point for donations, with Fulham also doing the same at Craven Cottage.
Ferdinand, a former England international, grew up near the tower blocks and he commended EFL clubs and the West London community for pulling together to show their support for those in need.
“It is fantastic to see all EFL clubs showing their support for all those affected,” Ferdinand admitted.
“For me it is personal, as the tower is right next to the estate where I grew up. Everyone at QPR was shocked and saddened to see the tragic events unfold at Grenfell Tower, a mile away from Loftus Road.
“QPR, our owners, and everyone connected to the club immediately pulled together to offer our stadium as a collection point for donations, and we were inundated not just with food, clothing, bedding, toys and toiletries, but with dozens of volunteers to sort through it.
“I’m incredibly proud of the West London community response and would particularly like to thank the QPR fans and local residents who gave their time to help at the stadium.
“Earlier this week we sent several van loads of donations to where they are needed, and over the next few months and years we stand ready to help those people affected as they recover from the loss of their homes and their loved ones.
“For me, this is what it means for us to be a community club, and we will do whatever we can to help.”
Both Brentford and Southampton have decided to donate any profit from the friendly between the two sides at Griffin Park on the 22 July to the Grenfell Towers Disaster Fund.
Mark Devlin, Brentford CEO, told the club's official website: “Firstly, I would like to add the sincere condolences of the club to those who have lost family and friends, our thoughts and prayers are with them.
“The club is situated relatively close to the site of the disaster, and we wanted to do something to support our community and those affected.
“Brentford is very much a community club and I’m delighted that Southampton have joined with us in donating the profits from the ticket sales of our friendly match.
“We also anticipate there will be other fundraising activities on the day and we hope that as many fans as possible will be able to attend the game, so that we can raise as much as possible.”
