Cambridge United Foundation receives donation for Pledge United

Cambridge United Foundation has been awarded £42,922.40 as part of a consortium of three Football Club charities for ‘Pledge United’; a programme developed to use football to begin a conversation and provide education around the issue of violence against women and girls. 

This has been made possible as part of a community fund of over half a million pounds set up from donations from the EFL, its charitable arm, EFL in the Community and The FA.

Since Cambridge United Foundation piloted this programme, it has gone from strength to strength. Just under 200 teenage boys within five local secondary schools and Cambridge United’s U18 scholars have all completed the course, with an 8% increase in their confidence to speak up about this issue. By the end of the academic year, the programme hopes to have opened this discussion with around a further 400 young men within three clubs; this recent award only further showcases the growing success of the programme.

We are lucky to be supported by Cambridge United Football Club, this Saturday’s game against Crewe Alexandra is Cambridge United’s dedicated White Ribbon Matchday, reaffirming the Club’s commitment to end violence against women and girls and showcasing their support for Pledge United.

Kieran Wood, Youth Engagement Officer for Cambridge United Foundation and lead on Pledge United had the following to say about White Ribbon Day and the programme:

“The message of this programme fits perfectly with the 2025 focus for White Ribbon Day, ‘We Speak Up’. Therefore, becoming a White Ribbon Ambassador was a no-brainer for me as we look to continue expanding on the already successful Pledge United programme. White Ribbon is the UK’s leading charity working to end this violence, and I want to be a part of that change. I passionately believe everyone can call out behaviour that is unsafe and harmful and by doing so we can be a part of a change in culture.”

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic abuse, free and confidential support is available. You can find help here.

Learn more about our Pledge United programme here.