Fundraiser, 9, donates much needed equipment to community group

Jonjo with players from the competition, RBH staff, police & Freehold Community Group

Children living on the Freehold estate have benefited from new footballs, new football kits and a free football coaching session - thanks to a 9-year-old charity fundraiser from Kent.

Freehold Community Group organises various initiatives for the young people on the estate, with free football coaching being one of the most popular, but high demand for the sessions meant the group didn’t have enough equipment.

Mohammad Azhar from the Group, said: “An SOS on Facebook by landlord Rochdale Boroughwide Housing resulted in a call from nine year old Jonjo Heuerman who offered to donate footballs and kits – and he would deliver them in person.”

Jonjo has received country wide recognition as one of the country’s youngest charity fundraisers. When his nan died from bowel cancer earlier this year, he decided to raise money for The Bobby Moore Fund which supports research into the disease.

With the help of his dad he planned his first charity walk from Wembley Stadium to his beloved West Ham United. This 23 mile walk proved inspirational to many people who asked if they could join him in his next event. To date he has raised £37,000 for the charity and an estimated £1m in publicity for the Bobby Moore Fund.

At the weekend around 150 Rochdale children took part in a Junior Football Event organised by the Freehold Community Group, and Jonjo was guest of honour. Thanks to his kind donation, the Freehold Community Group was able to announce the re-launch of its free Football Coaching Sessions.

Jonjo said: “It was great to meet so many new friends. In February 2012 I will be walking again and I want lots of people to walk with me and many of the Rochdale kids have said they will.”

Miguel Cardona, trainee CSO/Housing Officer, and Chris Dobie, Coordinator of the group, said: “Everything we do is around inspiring our young people and providing them with leadership and positive role models like Jonjo.

“This event is a great example of people power at its best.”