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Press release
The Life Channel Schools' Charity of the Year
1 Sep 2008
The Life Channel has officially adopted the Whizzkids United HIV prevention programme - a football-themed HIV prevention scheme based in South Africa- as its TLC Schools 2008/2009 Charity of the Year.
The Life Channel schools network, TLC Schools, was launched by then Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2007, and is now contracted in over 500 schools across the UK.
The Life Channel is hoping the activity will raise as much money as possible to support this worthwhile charity. The transmission rate of HIV infection between 15 - 24 year olds in South Africa is currently about 16 per cent; it is vital for South African youth and children worldwide to know all the facts and have the skills to act on them.
"Once you've seen one child die of Aids, you never want to see it again," said Marcus McGilvray, a British HIV nurse and Director and Founder of Whizzkids United. "I began running life skills training based around HIV prevention in a classroom, but a lot of the students seemed more focused on their after-class football game. I then moved the classroom onto the football pitch, developing ways to teach football and relate it to life skills so the kids would enjoy their learning experience; thus, Whizzkids United was born. What makes it unique is that we are now able to teach about HIV in a very fun, interactive and motivational way."
Launched in 2006, Whizzkids United has since had over 3000 kids enrol and hosted nine mini World Cup Tournaments.
"We were inspired by the Whizzkids themselves who put so much energy and enthusiasm into the programme, and have so much fun as they learn vital, life-saving skills," said Phil Austin, Managing Director of The Life Channel. "As a parent, it is very moving to see, and we hope students in TLC Schools will take up the challenge to help keep the Whizzkids playing."
The Life Channel will support schools with ideas for sponsored events and competitions to raise funds for Whizzkids United, and hopes to involve all students - football fanatics and non-football fans alike.
The Schools will be encouraged to promote and film their fundraising activities and of course will be able to showcase their own efforts on their own TV Channel. In addition The Life Channel will show some of the edited highlights across the network
"As little as £1 from each student could greatly help children involved in this programme; that's less than the price of a comic," said McGilvray. "The more fortunate students in TLC Schools could really learn a lot from giving to Whizzkids United."
Just £20 will put one Whizzkids United student through the entire programme, including 20 hours of life skills training, one-on-one counselling and Peer Education training, which they are then able to take back to their own schools.
The work of Whizzkids United has been filmed by The Life Channel and is on-air across the UK in TLC Schools as well as on The Life Channel in Gauteng province in South Africa.
More high profile supporters are expected to come on board before September 2008.
