The Embankment Bedford Helps Young Footballer Go Pro
24th June 2014: Talented young footballer Lewis Lodge from Bedford is getting the chance to play for his dream team Luton Town FC Pre-Academy after winning much-needed sponsorship from local businesses including The Embankment in Bedford.
The 12 and a half year old, who attends Mark Rutherford Upper School in Bedford, got the life-line after a chance meeting with Lance Haggith, founder of Sports Traider, who helped secure the funding from The Embankment to go towards Lewis’ training for next season which will see him continue his development into the academy. Lance takes up the story.
“Lewis is a very talented young footballer, playing centre back for Crawley Green FC, winners of the treble in 2013, who was voted Manager’s Player of the Season as well as Parents’ Player of the Season in 2013. In the past year he has played for and trained with Tottenham Hotspur and Queen’s Park Rangers Academy sides.
“He is also signed to Luton Town FC Pre-Academy, and after a very successful season there, has got the opportunity to return for another season. The only stumbling block is the £1025 needed to pay for the two training sessions a week, the games, his new kit and a residential end of season tour to Europe.
“Lewis is registered young carer to his mum Louise, helping her in the her daily routine as well as looking after his younger sister, a commitment which meant that over the last few years he hasn’t had the footballing opportunities he deserved. Now, with the prospect of playing professionally a very real one, we turned to our friends at The Embankment to give him a helping hand. Together we’ve supported several talented young sporting stars in the making over the years, and have a close relationship, and we thought they’d been keen to help again,” says Lance.
Jonathan Taylor, manager of The Embankment, and his team were only too pleased to step in to help Lewis raise the money he needs to return to the pre-academy, offering support from a charitable fund called the Peach Foundation set up last year to help causes like Lewis’, as Jonathan explains.
“Here at the pub we have always supported local and sustainable projects, putting something back into our community and helping local heroes achieve their dreams,” he says. “We donate 25p from every Caesar salad we sell at the pub to good causes, such as sporting and healthy eating activities in local schools.
“When we found out about Lewis’ situation, we naturally wanted to do something and are pleased we can using funds from the Peach Foundation to cover the costs of his training, kit and travel this year. Youngsters like Lewis are a great inspiration to all of us, and we’re happy we can do our bit and see him grow into the talented professional footballer he can be,” says Jonathan.
