Academy Youngsters Help Launch Wider World Project

- The Academy youngsters assisted ‘The Way of the Horse’ charity by carrying out a series of manual tasks 

- The Leicestershire-based charity helps children and adults that have suffered emotional trauma 

Leicester City’s Under-18s took time out of their busy schedule on Wednesday to help launch the Academy’s Wider World project. 

Wider World is an initiative that sees the Club’s youngsters deployed into the local community to assist charities in need of a helping hand. 

The first project saw the Academy stars, alongside Club staff, head down to ‘The Way of the Horse’ – a charity based in Earl Shilton, Leicestershire that works with children or adults that have suffered emotional trauma. 

Voluntary Action LeicesterShire sourced and designed the opportunity, which allowed the Under-18s to carry out activities including painting fences, filling flowerbeds and clearing land – all of which are crucial for the charity to function on a day-to-day basis. 

Leicester City Academy Manager Ian Cawley said: “We’ve come out to The Way of the Horse stables today to give them a hand and also take the lads out of their normal footballing environment. 

“It’s helped them understand that they can give back to the community while also developing their teamwork skills and having a little bit of fun too. 

“The Wider World project is a way of getting them out and about and there’s a lot more to come. We’ve been into primary schools and we’ll be doing different forms of volunteering at other charities. 

“They’ve all really enjoyed it and embraced it. They work hard as footballers on the pitch and in the classroom and projects like this will give them an understanding of what it’s like to represent the Football Club in the local community.” 

The Club’s players and staff were in high spirits and showed a great understanding of just how important their efforts will be to the charity. 

Young defender Alex Pascanu added: “It’s been great to have a day outside of the Academy to come and help out the local community. 

“It’s been really good to see the whole team stuck in and I feel we’ve all enjoyed it. We’ve had a good day and we’ve show that we’re a team. 

“It’s a great feeling to know that we’re doing it for a good cause, especially for one that helps out disadvantaged children.”