The Chelsea Foundation's groundbreaking work received a welcome boost at the weekend as Lynn Osgood, wife of the club's legendary striker Peter, and their son Darren joined disability manager Rob Seale and Chelsea Community FC captain Sami El-Kashef on the Stamford Bridge pitch to present a cheque for an amazing £15,000.
The funds will go towards the Foundation's Football+ programme, which enables people with disabilities to participate in regular, organised matches and coaching sessions in a safe and enjoyable environment. The scheme encourages players with disabilities to develop their health and independence while realising their potential, offering regular sessions with specialist coaches at local schools and sports centres as well as special one-off fun days and tournaments.
'We've had a variety of events since we started to raise funds and now we're starting to give money out, which is great,' said Lynn. 'Disability football is one of the main things we provide grants for to help disadvantaged children enjoy football. If we can encourage them, whether they're disabled or underprivileged, we've fulfilled our goal.'
'Peter loved children's football and we used to sponsor our local team. It's great we can help out in any way and it's another nice little tribute in his memory. The Chelsea Foundation was our first port of call and the disability scheme interested me and after seeing the sessions I knew that's what we would like to help.'
The added funding from the Peter Osgood Trust will allow Football+ to expand in new areas of disability football such as amputee and wheelchair/powerchair, as well as women's and girls' games.
Seale said: 'Our main objective is always to provide more opportunities for people with disabilities to play football. We are very grateful of the Peter Osgood Trust funding which will help us focus on maximum participation.'
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