P&G announces plans to raise $25 million to support youth sport as a global 'Thank You' to Mums
Worldwide Olympic partner, Procter & Gamble, has announced plans to raise $25 million to help say ‘Thank You Mum’ by establishing and sustaining youth sport programmes around the world.
P&G global brand building officer, Marc Pritchard explained: “At the start of our ‘Thank You Mum’ program, we asked mums everywhere, what would be a great way for us to help you and they said – “Help support youth sports because sport helps mums too." It helps mums raise healthy, happy kids.
"This is why we are committing to support not just the mums of Olympians – but every mum who does whatever it takes to make her child’s life the best it can be.”
He added, that P&G has also extended its partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) until 2020, with the brand already exceeding its goal of raising $5 million in 2012 “more than $6 million is going to support sports development, school equipment, youth funds & scholarships and places in summer sports camps across the world this year,” he commented.
IOC president Jacques Rogge commented: “I am delighted to see the success of P&G’s world-wide youth sport program and welcome this commitment to extend through to the 2020 Olympic Games. By partnering with the global Olympic Movement, P&G has committed to touching and improving lives through sport – particularly the lives of young people. Investment in youth sport is essential to the future of the Olympic Movement.”
US Olympian Kerri Walsh who helped P&G establish an Youth Fund in the US, added: “Supporting today’s little athletes, whether or not they grow up to become tomorrow’s Olympians, is essential.”
GB Olympian Paula Radcliffe echoed the same sentiment, commenting: “I genuinely believe it’s important for all children to have sport in their life as it has so many benefits; not just health benefits, but self-confidence, self-esteem, working as a team, better results at school.”
Pritchard concluded that investing in youth sport means P&G can “honor our commitment to mums and to the IOC by supporting families and helping grow tomorrow’s Olympians.”