Passionate Gooner Gareth Parker has launched an initiative intended to boost those who benefit from homeless charity Centrepoint’s crucial services during the challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. 

The impact of COVID-19 has been huge and inescapable for us all. Yet, for young people experiencing homelessness or social exclusion, it is even more devastating – prompting the idea from loyal Arsenal supporter Gareth, aiming to keep vulnerable youngsters engaged, active and connected during self-isolation.

“We want supporters to pick their all-time favourite goal from Arsenal’s history, film it and share it,” explained Gareth. 

Speaking to the Gooner Fanzine Gareth added: “The choice is yours. It could be Mickey Thomas’ goal at Anfield in 1989. Or a cherished Thierry Henry, Ian Wright or Dennis Bergkamp strike – anyone you want - from Viv Miedema to Paul Merson.

“What we’d like Arsenal fans to do is get creative while respecting social distancing and use everything you have available to recreate that goal.

"Think jumpers for goalposts, toilet rolls for defenders...and if you don’t have a ball to hand, then just ball up your socks.”

Arsenal club photographer Stuart MacFarlane joins in

Arsenal club photographer Stuart MacFarlane has already joined in with their separate photography challenge in which you post a picture which means something to you, before nominating a friend.

The challenge is called three images that represent your world and big-hearted Stuart, said: "I'm very proud to support Centrepoint, a charity which helps so many young people," before posting three images which are important to him, explaining: "Time with my little boy, researching pictures and my daily runs around Emirates stadium."

Centrepoint helps vulnerable young people

Centrepoint has helped vulnerable young people move on from homelessness to build a future they can believe in, aiding them in housing and health issues to learning and engagement schemes – supporting more than 15,000 people a year. 

Times are tough for everyone during this deadly pandemic and Centrepoint and the people they help are no different. 

The UK’s leading homelessness charity is focusing all its efforts on simply keeping their youth homelessness services open, with many staff furloughed to try and help the charity survive financially. While all this is going on, in homes and hostels across the country, anxious and bored young people are looking at their phones and TVs searching for reassurance and hope – seeking a sense of connection and community, despite being alone in isolation.

Which is where Gareth’s project comes in.

For every week Centrepoint are unable to deliver their usual engagement programmes, they will be launching three challenges around the themes of their regular activities: arts and culture, sport, and food. All activities and challenges can be done with minimal resources, in any space.

“Social networks have gone back to their origins,” said Gareth. “They are being used as the connecting tools which they were intended to be from the very beginning: bringing people together when they need it most.

“And this is where Arsenal fans can help. Together we can help young people remain engaged, active and connected during self- isolation.

“We are asking you to share one of our challenges on your Twitter or Instagram or your preferred social media platform.

“All we ask is that you undertake the challenge, filming yourself doing so if appropriate, and then explain why you’re doing this for Centrepoint, before encouraging as many people as possible to get involved.”

With the majority of us having more time on our hands than we anticipated – or require – why not spend a few minutes recreating your favourite Gunners goal and help boost a great cause. 

Use the hashtags #CentrepointChallengeAccepted and #CentrepointAppeal in the video and post.

Follow Centrepoint on Twitter @centrepointuk.

To learn more about Centrepoint click here

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