United Partner With Find A Better Way

Manchester United and Find A Better Way, a landmine charity founded by club legend Sir Bobby Charlton, have today [Friday 17 March] announced a unique partnership.

Find A Better Way was founded in 2011 by Charlton, who, while visiting a minefield in Cambodia, saw first-hand the humanitarian damage that landmines continue to cause in war-torn areas both past and present. The former United and England forward felt there had to be a more efficient way of negating the effects of mines and improving safety and security for local communities whose lives are blighted by them.

There are currently 110 million active landmines worldwide, with nine people killed or maimed by landmines every day. Research suggests it would cost an estimated £20 billion and take over 1,000 years to clear all of the active landmines using current technologies. 

The special partnership sees the club link up with Sir Bobby, a club director and ambassador, to raise awareness of the unique charity and support their three main areas of work: research, education and humanitarian projects. Alongside increasing general awareness, the partnership will also involve the development of partnership education initiatives with the club’s charity, Manchester United Foundation, who work with over 20,000 young people each year.

United's executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward, said: "As a club, we are delighted to support Sir Bobby Charlton in his vision of a landmine-free world for future generations.

"Landmines are a global problem and, as a club with over 659 million fans across the world, we want to reach out and educate them on the devastating effects of landmines. This could well be something fans recognise within their own communities or by supporting Find A Better Way to help improve and develop effective detection tools and methods to free the globe of landmines."

Sir Bobby commented: "I am very grateful for the support of my club, Manchester United, for joining my efforts to assist in the detection of landmines and to lessen the impact of this devastating weapon on communities throughout the world."

Find a Better Way's chief executive, Lou McGrath OBE, said: "Despite a global treaty signed by 164 countries, the millions of landmines already laid throughout the world continue to maim and kill children, women and men."

He added: "Find A Better Way supports research into better detection of landmines and better prosthetic support for victims. Its sports and education projects help warn of the dangers of landmines and how to live and play in safety. We are very grateful to Manchester United Football Club for its support and are proud of such a partnership."