Everton's academy squad have announced plans for their own fundraising campaign to help young people on the brink of homelessness across the city of Liverpool.
Premier League 2 manager David Unsworth and his players will host a variety of activities and events throughout the season to raise a target of £230,000 for the Home Is Where The Heart Is campaign, which will develop a supported living initiative in the city delivered by the club's official charity Everton in the Community (EitC).
This money will allow the purchase of a house close to Goodison Park which will offer young people aged between 16 and 23 a place to stay, while EitC will assist with further support including education, employment and training.
"Modern-day footballers are in an incredibly privileged position and are supported by their club with everything, including dietary and fitness support and psychological matters," Unsworth told evertonfc.com.
"Home Is Where The Heart Is will see us offer that same level of support to the most needy across Liverpool and draw upon all areas of expertise within Everton in the Community to ensure that those young people accessing the facility will be given tangible life skills to set them on the right path in life."
To donate to Home Is Where The Heart Is, visit the squad's fundraising page.
The idea for the fundraising campaign came after Unsworth, his squad and backroom team spent a freezing night on a sponsored sleepout with fans at Goodison Park.
With temperatures approaching -4 degrees Celsius, the players camped out to help raise money and awareness for EitC's homeless projects in Liverpool.
"It was a tough night, it was really cold but we got through it," Unsworth added. "We were all wrapped up with layers of clothing on. There are people out there doing this for real and that is the scary thing. That is why we are doing this, because we want to stop this.
💙 | David Unsworth and #EFCU23 have today pledged to raise £230,000 to help youngsters on the brink of homelessness: https://t.co/9CiVNCy0E3 pic.twitter.com/RsVsdLII8V
— Everton (@Everton) December 2, 2016
"Everybody should have a roof over their head and we are going to give our all to this campaign to ensure that we can help as many young people as possible."
The sleepout had plenty of support from within the club as chairman Bill Kenwright and Everton donated £23,000 to the fundraising effort.
Everton's PL2 squad, whose are top of the Premier League 2 Division 1 table, play Portsmouth in the Premier League Cup at Southport FC on Monday night.
See: Home Is Where The Heart Is | Blues complete Goodison sleepout
