Bradford City FC Foundation Nominated for Charitable Award

Local community group recognised for extensive outreach work

The Bradford City FC Community Foundation has been nominated for the Charitable Excellence Award at the Yorkshire Choice Awards. The nomination acknowledges the Foundation’s ongoing efforts in social outreach, sports, and community support over the past year.

Under the leadership of former Bradford City striker and Foundation CEO Ian Ormondroyd, the organisation has been active in the community for nearly three decades. Last year, the Foundation engaged with over 30,000 individuals through 29 different projects, contributing more than 12,000 hours of community support.

Range of initiatives supporting Bradford residents

The Foundation runs various programmes aimed at improving the wellbeing of people across Bradford. Some of the key initiatives from the past year include:

• Weekly Walking Football sessions, including specialised sessions for people with Parkinson’s disease
• The opening of a Community Partnership Hub focused on addressing food poverty
• The Moments Cafe, a weekly dementia and Parkinson’s-friendly social space at the City Hub
• The Click & Connect photography exhibition
• A free Community Camp during the summer, attended by hundreds of young people
• Several awareness campaigns, including the Catch Your Breath anti-youth vaping initiative
• The Way Forward programme, supporting young men aged 18-24 with employment and mental and physical health
• The Smoke and Vape-Free Sidelines football tournament
• Weekly coffee mornings in partnership with SSAFA, the UK Armed Forces charity
• A Community Ticket scheme providing discounted match tickets to local organisations such as schools and junior sports clubs

The Foundation’s work spans a wide demographic, including young people, the elderly, and vulnerable groups. Its programmes aim to address social challenges and promote inclusion through sport and community engagement.

Comments from Foundation leadership

Lizzie Saunderson-Trowell, Chief Operating Officer of the Foundation, said the nomination was a recognition of the team’s daily efforts in Bradford. She highlighted the importance of celebrating the staff and volunteers who deliver support to those most in need.

Further information

Details about the Foundation’s activities and impact can be found in their 2024-25 Annual Report available on their website.

The Yorkshire Choice Awards celebrate the achievements of individuals and organisations across the region. The Charitable Excellence Award recognises outstanding contributions to community welfare.