Maya Yoshida makes Saints Foundation pledge
Saints Foundation is celebrating after Southampton star Maya Yoshida pledged one per cent of his salary to the club’s official charity this season, further helping them to transform lives in the community.
In doing so, the Japan international has become the one of the first Premier League players to make a monthly donation to a club-related cause. Having expressed an interest in supporting young people across the city, his contribution will help Saints Foundation with projects in both primary and secondary schools as well as their work across their disability programmes.
Speaking about his decision to give the charity a significant five-figure sum across the season, Yoshida explained: “I have been here for seven years now and I have got a lot from the club and from the city. Now it is time for me to give something back to them. I want to work closely with Saints Foundation to do something special for the people in this city.“I’ve wanted to do something like this for a long time,” he added. “I know they help people that need it in the area. I want to support them as much as I can and Saints Foundation is the best way to do that.”
Along with helping the local community, Yoshida is hoping his donation can show some of Southampton’s younger players a way to bring positive change to others. “It’s important to show my actions to the younger players and be a good role model for them. I hope this will show them how they should act as a professional footballer.”
SAINTS FOUNDATION:
Saints Foundation is the official charity of Southampton Football Club which exists to fulfil the potential and change the lives of children, young people, and adults at risk across Southampton and surrounding areas. Working in partnership with Southampton Football Club, the Foundation aims to inspire and support people of all ages and abilities across Hampshire and the surrounding area to develop their potential into excellence. Every year the Saints Foundation engages with thousands of young people and adults at risk through their programmes targeting some of the biggest issues in society.
In so doing the charity invests over £2 million into local communities within Southampton and the surrounding area. Saints Foundation delivers targeted programmes across six key themes: Health & Wellbeing , Employability & Learning, Schools & Community, Saints4All (accessible sport), Education and Football & Sports Development.
Saints Kicks – Saints Foundation
