ITS’ Financial Director Joins Charity Help for South African Orphans

Industrial Technology Systems Ltd’s Financial Director Simon Close, will be heading to South Africa in June along with thousands of fellow football fans - but soaking up the World Cup atmosphere and watching the games aren’t his main priority.

Simon is one of an elite squad of 300 volunteers from the Teesside-based charity Lionsraw, which will be working to help improve the lives of impoverished orphaned children, suffering from HIV and Aids.

The 2010 World Cup Legacy Tour is Lionsraw’s debut project.  For eight of the 12 days of the trip, the volunteers’ time will be divided between building projects, such as constructing toilet blocks for local schools, and running soccer academies.  The remaining four days they will be able to enjoy Durban whilst there are games on in the Stadium.

Much of their time will be spent in The Valley of a Thousand Hills just outside Durban, which has earned the unenviable alternative name of Valley of a Thousand Deaths because the area has the highest HIV prevalence rate in South Africa.  Estimates show around 40% of the adult population is infected, and more than 300,000 children are Aids orphans. 

Life is grim for the Valley’s children; the highest rate of new infection by HIV is in adolescents.  Homes lack the basics of water and sanitation, and for many youngsters their only meal of the day is a stark dish of beans and cabbage at school. 

Lionsraw is the brainchild of Middlesbrough FC fan and former policeman Jon Burns, who dreamt up the idea in 2004 whilst watching an England v. France match in Portugal.  “I sat and wondered how many of the other 60,000 people there shared my beliefs and a passion for the beautiful game.  I wondered what great things could be achieved if it was possible to harness that passion and belief.”

He became determined to build a community of like-minded football fans across the world, working towards making life better for those less fortunate, and the charity now has offices in Stockton, Dallas and Durban and harnesses the enthusiasm, energy and commitment of hundreds of people worldwide.

A long-term goal for Jon is the establishment of Hope Soccer Academy in South Africa, in partnership with Ambassadors in Sport, to provide life skills’ education to deprived children through the medium of football.

Besides the hands-on help provided by the Legacy Tour volunteers, each of them must raise at least £1,750.  Anyone wishing to sponsor Simon can do so online at:  http://www.justgiving.com/simonclose/

“If you feel as moved as I do by the plight of these kids,” said Simon, “consider sponsoring the organisation’s attempt to leave a positive legacy when we all return home.”