After a successful debut last week, famouscfc returns to the fold
with a subject that is well worth exploring.
Chelsea have come in for a lot of criticism recently in the
red-tops once again - this time regarding the Mayday for Nurses
Campaign. It seems that a spokesperson for the campaign was shocked
that 'not one single player from Chelsea` donated the equivalent of
a days salary to help. Whilst on paper I was initially a little
shocked to hear this, I feel the criticism was a little
unjust.
Firstly, the very same spokeswoman
failed to mention that club itself had made a donation which placed
them 11th in the 'Premiership league table` of donations received
for the cause. Not the best, but far from the worst. It should also
be borne in mind that how that donation was composed hasn`t been
released by the club - so actual proof that 'not one single player
from Chelsea` has donated doesn`t, technically at least,
exist.
Secondly, they failed to even mention
the extensive charity work Chelsea already does. Many millions have
been raised for Clic Sargent - including a high profile auction for
Jose`s infamous 'Matalan` coat and other memorabilia. Similarly,
various other local, national and even global charity events which
the club has been involved in were ignored in both the reports and
by the charity`s spokesperson. In addition the club has helped
local schools in the community and has set up a Corporate and
Social Responsibility Programme - one of the first clubs to do
so.
Indeed, several Chelsea players
themselves also support various charities on a high-profile scale:
Arjen Robben supports Benin; Andriy Shevchenko supports the SOS
Children's Villages as a FIFA charity ambassador; Ballack is a
United Nations special representative on HIV / AIDS prevention
work; Joe Cole actively carries out charity work for Cystic
Fibrosis; and Drogba recently became a UNICEF ambassador
Additionally, there is the work the club are currently doing for
'Right to Play` where several representatives are currently in
Ghana supporting the charity.
Main Point
In fact Chelsea and their players have
actually raised more money for charity in the last year than any
other UK based club by raising over £4million. Not one 'journalist`
in the weekend`s papers picked up on this - simply using the
opportunity to berate Chelsea for not being as generous as some
other clubs towards this cause.
Of course, despite the anti-Chelsea quotes attributed to the
Charity - and the subsequent articles in the tabloids - everyone
wishes the Mayday for Nurses campaign the very best of luck.
