Arsenal footballer Lukas Podolski out with collection bucket in Hampstead
Arsenal’s star striker Lukas Podolski took to the streets of Hampstead to raise money for the club’s charity, which funds education and sporting initiatives across north London.
The German international, who lives in the area, strolled up and down the Hampstead High Street amongst Christmas shoppers with a collection bucket.
He helped raise awareness of Arsenal’s dedicated charity match day with West Bromwich Albion on Saturday (December 8) - which raised more than �200,000.
Speaking about the fundraising event, Podolski said: “I like the tradition that Arsenal has with helping the community and in particular providing education for young children, it’s a basic right that everyone should have in life and it’s important that we contribute off the pitch as well as on it.”
Each of Arsenal’s first team squad donated a day’s wages to the cause and Podolski said the players were only happy to be able to help.
You may also want to watch:
“As players we know that we are in a privileged position and can help people who are less fortunate than us, to donate a day’s wage is an easy choice to make,” he said.
The Arsenal Foundation was set up earlier this year and aims to transform the lives of young people through various education and sporting projects in local boroughs.
Most Read
- 1 Haringey Council leader ousted by rival in Labour group vote
- 2 Camden’s recycling rate has fallen – and this rubbish is now urgent
- 3 Revealed: The five most polluted places in Camden
- 4 Hampstead man jailed for pub 'revenge attack' on Jewish Tory barrister
- 5 Highgate mental illness charity sees 'desperation' rise during Covid year
- 6 Highgate primary praises new school street scheme restricting cars
- 7 James, Feeder and Maxïmo Park to play opening night of Kenwood
- 8 Three men charged after police officer injured in traffic stop
- 9 Swimmers launch legal challenge to charges at Hampstead Heath Ponds
- 10 St John's Wood High Street traders' fears after Harry's closure
Podolski is not the only Arsenal player to have put down roots in the area, with Spanish winger Santi Cazorla and German defender Per Mertesacher both recently moving to Hampstead.
