Letter from CEO

I’m delighted to introduce you to the newly-renamed Palace for Life Foundation. Our mission is to help young South Londoners grow through the power of sport, inspiring them to find a better path in life, for a better life.

Although the name is new, we’ve been working with young people in our area for over 25 years. At our heart, we believe in the value of positive action and through the ‘Power of Palace’ helping young South Londoners enjoy the good that comes from taking part in sport and team activities. And most importantly keeping our young people safe is at the core of everything we do.

Sport can offer young people vital life lessons and instil positive values that can help them to a better future. Life lessons such as the importance of eating well, living safely, working hard at school, participating in community activities and having career aspirations. And values such as honesty, fairness, tolerance and being able to dream. Our vision is to be recognised as the most pioneering football community foundation in the UK.

We’re well supported by the club, the Premier League and our local authorities, but like all football community charities we need money to fund essential programmes where external funding isn’t yet available. Programmes like ‘Get Up Get Moving’, led by club doctor Zaf Iqbal, inspiring local primary school children to eat healthier foods and get active; our employability programmes to help those furthest from the workplace to prepare for a career; or our disability football teams.

Proceeds from the Selhurst Draw will now be helping support our programmes supporting young South Londoners. We’re planning lots of exciting fundraising activities including a legends game, gala dinner and marathon walk.

I hope you’ll join us!

Mike Summers
Chief Executive Officer