Emmaus South Wales was recently offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that left one of our formerly homeless companions, Matt, living his dream.
The former Wales goalkeeper, Neville Southall MBE got in touch with us in conjunction with the Football Association Wales (FAW) to offer two people from our charity the chance to meet with him and FAW CEO Noel Mooney, enjoy a dinner and join four other charities for an unforgettable experience. This remarkable event took place on Thursday 7 September, ahead of the Wales v South Korea friendly match, which the charity attendees were invited to watch.
One of our trustees, Emyr-Wyn Francis attended with Matt, one of the individuals who is being supported by Emmaus South Wales. Both were delighted to attend this exclusive gathering. Commenting on the opportunity, Matt said:
“It was a dream come true meeting one of my footballing heroes, goalkeeper Neville Southall. I think it was great not only for Emmaus South Wales but for the Emmaus movement as a whole, getting our name out there and noticed by sporting and wider charities.
“It was also a good opportunity for me to tell my own story to the group which included Sport in Mind and St Johns Air Ambulance. I think there is a real future in working with Sport in Mind, not just for Emmaus South Wales but for Emmaus all over the UK.
“A big plus was that I got to meet sporting legends at the event and tell Emmaus’s story and the work that it does. The match was watched by 13,668 fans at Cardiff Stadium, sadly even after a rousing Welsh National Anthem, the score was a draw!”
Emmaus South Wales is immensely grateful to Neville Southall MBE, Noel Mooney, and the Football Association Wales for this extraordinary opportunity. It gave Matt the chance to meet one of his footballing heroes, allowed us to connect with other charities, and showcase the positive impact of our work. As we continue our mission to combat homelessness and social exclusion in south Wales, we are excited about the potential collaborations that may arise from this event.
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- Companion Matt with Neville Southall
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- Emyr-Wyn Francis with Matt