Portraits of Brazilian football icons Pele and Ronaldinho are to be auctioned to raise money for a London charity.
Lincoln Townley, from London, has created the images for the charity Football For Peace, an organisation backed by the United Nations which seeks to unite people and communities through football.
And Sports Minister Tracey Crouch was joined by former Barcelona superstar Ronaldinho this week to launch a London ‘City For Peace’ Young Ambassador Programme which partners with four professional clubs across the capital, post the tragic London attacks earlier this year.
The initiative aims to promote diplomacy educational courses for 11 to 15 year olds in the capital, and hopes the portraits will raise hundreds of thousands of pounds at auction.
“Football can be a hugely powerful tool for good: social and community development is an important outcome of our strategy for sport,” said the Sports Minister.
“I'm really pleased Football for Peace are continuing their good work in bringing communities together through love of the game, both in the UK and globally. I look forward to seeing their City of Peace Young Ambassadors making an impact in London communities"
Ronaldinho added: “I am honoured to receive the art piece which will make a difference to many children facing marginalisation in London, it is great to be involved in a movement which contributes to peace by uniting, educating and promoting friendships between people”
For more information about Football For Peace go to footballforpeaceglobal.org
