Raheem Sterling may not be having the best season of his career in a dull moment with Chelsea. However, the striker scored one of the biggest goals of his career off the pitch as he guaranteed opportunities for youngsters from his own background. The Raheem Sterling Foundation has partnered with the country’s leading academic institutions, King’s College London and the University of Manchester, to offer the scholarship. 14 black students of African and Caribbean descent, from the most vulnerable socioeconomic situations, will be covered. The top four students will already win scholarships for the 2023/24 academic year.
The Raheem Sterling Foundation project is targeted for the next three years. Scholarships are available to young people in Greater Manchester and Greater London. The idea is to provide more access to higher education and help young black and poor people on their way. Although he ascended by a different path, Sterling exhibits a great social conscience and is guaranteed to give back to society through his studies. Less than 5% of students starting an undergraduate degree in England in 2021 will be black.
“This opportunity will help young people gain more access to education and introduce them to experiences and opportunities that will enhance their future career prospects. I hope this initiative will be a real game changer in the coming years and I am delighted to be working with two of the best universities in the world. We wish all our funded students the best of luck and look forward to meeting everyone on campus in Manchester and London later this year,” said Sterling.
“At Rahim Sterling Foundation, we believe that access to excellent education and employment opportunities should be fair for all young people, regardless of their background and financial circumstances. The work we do is aimed at improving opportunities, future careers and quality of life. We will not rest until Rahim’s vision succeeds.” “Partnering with two of the country’s most prestigious universities, representing the fight for change, is a real highlight of our journey, and we couldn’t be happier to announce our commitment to them and our students.”
Sterling was born in Kingston, Jamaica. The attacker lost his father, murdered, when he was two years old. Already at the age of five, the boy moved to London to follow his mother, a runner in Jamaican athletics. Sterling grew up in public housing on the outskirts of Wembley, north London. In his youth, due to behavioral disorders, he studied in a reformatory. While still at the bottom he moved to Liverpool to escape the mob environment in London. He found his success in football and is giving back to youngsters with similar roots.
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