E-ACT City Heights Academy students take part in Man U v Copenhagen Opening Ceremony

Lucky students and staff from
E-ACT City Heights Academy in Lambeth (part of
E-ACT,
a family of 28 academies) attended a football match between Manchester United and Copenhagen on Tuesday the 24th of October.

The academy is supported by the
Manchester United Foundation
who made the trip possible.
The foundation uses football to engage and inspire young people to build a better life for themselves and unite the communities in which they live. They have dedicated staff who deliver educational and community outreach programmes to help young people make
positive choices in their lives.

The students that attended were part of the opening ceremony of the match, which was an extra special one as it was in memory of Sir Bobby Charlton CBE who passed away this month. He was
an English professional footballer who was widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, he was a member of the England team that won the 1966 World Cup. The match began with a lone piper playing the
United anthem ‘We’ll Never Die’ in tribute to him.

At the match, player
Andre Onana saved a penalty in added time giving Manchester United a Champions League victory against Copenhagen. The crowd repeated chants of “One Bobby Charlton” and fans also gathered at the ‘Holy Trinity’ statue outside Old Trafford to look at the floral
tributes dedicated to the late player.

The trip was aligned to E-ACT’s ‘Opening Minds, Opening Doors’ strategy, which ensures that coming from a disadvantaged background does not determine your future. This is
achieved by creating the conditions where children, young people and staff can thrive. 

Mr Marvin Charles, Headteacher at
E-ACT City Heights Academy
said:

“Attending this match was a once in a lifetime experience for the students, made even more special by being part of the moment in remembrance of Sir Bobby Charlton.

“I am so grateful to the Manchester United Foundation for the work they do not only with us, but all the other schools and young people they support. At E-ACT City Heights we believe in being part
of bigger things and it’s great to show students that in action.”

Tom Campbell, CEO of E-ACT said:

“Everyone at E-ACT is thankful to the Manchester United Foundation for giving students the chance to attend this very special match. Enriching children’s lives and providing them with unforgettable
experiences is what education is all about.”