The One Goal - #TOGetherAgainstCorona

Today the non-profit organisation The One Goal, of which I am the co-founder, is launching our biggest campaign to date. Lots of footballers from the women’s world of football have come onboard in our aim to raise money for the WHO and players/partner programs.

I met Daniela after a game against Arsenal back in 2018. It was the first of April. The end result was 1-1 and we, Chelsea, were playing away. After the game I went past the fans. They were asking for autographs and other request. Daniela showed up, next to Kevin that has followed the game for years. She asked if I wanted to donate some of my kit as she wanted to auction these off and donate the proceeds.

In 2015 we had the refugee crisis in Europe. Sweden and Germany were among the countries that opened up to help those in need. Back then there were a wave of empathy towards people in need and most of it happened after the very emotional picture of little three year old Aylan Kurdi, who went straight into people’s hearts.

As I write these words my heart aches. I am looking at my now 3-year old son Nathan and the connection felt to a child the same age as your own is sometimes unbearable. I cried a lot back then. Not only for Aylan, but for all the kids affected by war and other hardships. I’ve followed the Syria war on and off since about 2012 and I can remember so many times when I’ve cried so much when the world feels so unjust and horrible, especially for children.

Anyway, I decided to auction off a number of jerseys and donate the money to different organisations that worked to help these people affected by war.

Doing good stuff for other people feels good. So when Daniela asked me about my donation I asked her if she wanted to join forces. Not sure if she thought I was joking but when I see an opportunity I tend to seize it. To connect my name with the non-profit would give the organisation a bit of a push towards being a valid, trusted player. With so many small non-profit organisations around this is so important. Daniela had a passion of her own; to run the daily business of a non-profit organisation and we felt like a good match as I am busy with my football and my family life to a great degree.

We decided to join forces and create something but agreed that we’d only do it in our spare time and without stress.

We want to promote the women’s game, provide fans with authentic memorabilia and reinvest the money back into women’s sport and ideally women’s football.

Now, a little more than two years down the line we have sold over 100 items and we’ve raised about 10.000 GBP. Not bad for a little side project.

Thanks to fantastic volunteers who help running it this has been possible. Helen and Tom on the picture deserve a lot of credit for example.

Today we aim a bit higher.

We are launching our biggest campaign to date and we are proud to say that more than 20 players (and counting) have come onboard to donate their game worn jersey. WHO and players/partner programs will benefit from this campaign and we hope that you love it as much as we do.

The first jersey we revealed belongs to a world class player who rewrites what it means to be a full back.

Yes, Lucy Bronze is onboard and she is the first one out.

I have been told people are quite excited about Lucy in general. As the world of fans has grown steadily over the years it is so interesting to hear what fans actually think about us footballers. I am very glad to have Lucy and other world class players onboard. But it is also important for me to get youngsters onboard and also those that have already retired. Part of our mission is to tell stories and to help people get some visibility. Getting the kit of a retired player is not easy, as there weren’t too many jerseys produced back then, but we are trying our best.

Go take a look at our website and keep an eye out for your favourite player. If you could dream, from which player would you love to own a jersey, retired or now playing? Please leave a comment and I promise I will reach out to that player and see if we can get her onboard now or for future campaigns.

More info can be found here: www.theonegoal.org