Raheem Sterling says he wants to help young people in Manchester reach their full potential as he unveiled his new charitable foundation.
Manchester City forward Sterling launched 'The Raheem Sterling Foundation', focussing on young people in London, Manchester and, capital of Jamaica, Kingston.
He grew up in Brent, London, and has played for City since 2015. He has family ties to Jamaica, and the new foundation aims to "educate, empower and inspire young people" in all three cities "to become better prepared for the future and to embrace opportunities to achieve greater social mobility."
The foundation will focus on improving social mobility, further education, and empowerment in young people who may face challenges to reach their full potential.
Sterling said: “My journey to date has been well documented but nothing would have been achievable without belief, family, great mentors and the opportunities I have embraced.
"My foundation is built on my experiences, successes and the many challenges I overcame, I now want to help young people achieve and be the best they can be.
"I want to empower and invest in young people in the pursuit of furthering their education, showcasing their creativity, igniting their enterprise and achieving the social mobility they deserve."
Sterling says his foundation will use 'The Power of Seven', a reference to his squad number at City but also an approach to focus on seven areas: education, employment, enterprise, creativity, personal development, accountability and social mobility.
After unveiling two initial projects at his old school and in Wembley Park - not far from where he grew up - alongside his mother Nadine, Sterling's Foundation will also be helping young people in Manchester and Jamaica in time.
