Variety presented a bespoke Sunshine Coach to children and young adults of the charity Football Beyond Borders. The coach, which has been named in memory of the late Sir Terry Wogan, was generously donated by businessman and joint chairman of West Ham United, David Sullivan. Gaby Roslin, TV presenter and friend of Sir Terry, was in Hollington Youth Centre in Camberwell today presenting the coach to members of Football Beyond Borders.

Football Beyond Borders is an educational charity which uses football as an engagement tool to provide young people aged 9 – 14, who have been identified by their school as being at risk of exclusion, the opportunity to achieve their goals and fulfil their potential. They do this through a football-themed, literacy curriculum which puts a young person’s passion for football at the heart of their education.

The new Variety Sunshine Coach will be used by Football Beyond Borders to transport young people from schools to youth centres and various football teams to tournaments and matches. Before the Sunshine Coach, Football Beyond Borders relied on the generosity of its supporters to provide transport and vehicles for their players to participate.

Football Beyond Borders targets schools and youth centres which are in outer London boroughs, particularly in areas of high deprivation and where existing provision and opportunities for young people are far less than inner London boroughs. The charity currently supports 300 young people and expects this number to rise to 450 in the next 12 months.

Gaby Roslin, Variety Ambassador and TV presenter, said:

“I am honoured to be here today to make this special donation in memory of the late great Sir Terry Wogan. Sir Terry would be so happy to see the support that Variety offers both disabled and disadvantaged children, and I know he will be proud that this donation is in his name.”

Nick Shattock, Chief Barker said:

“Football Beyond Borders is a fantastic charity and we are delighted to present them with their Sunshine Coach today. Variety has donated nearly 5,500 Sunshine Coaches since 1962 so disabled and disadvantaged children across the country have the opportunity to get the most out of life. We know how important this coach will be in making a difference to the lives of young people across London, giving more opportunities to participate in the glorious game of football.”

David Sullivan, Joint Chairman of West Ham United, said:

“It’s a pleasure to be able to provide the funds for Football Beyond Borders Sunshine Coach today. I am passionate about giving back to the football community where I can and I’ve no doubt that the Sunshine Coach will help Football Beyond Borders in their charitable work.”

Jasper Kain, Co-founder of Football Beyond Borders, said:

“The minibus will make an impact to the lives of hundreds of young people from economically deprived backgrounds in South London. It will provide them with the regular opportunity to experience new transformational things such as going on a football tour, meeting young people from other cities and experiencing adventure learning. Without the minibus this breadth of opportunities would not be possible.”