3:28pm Tuesday 15th May 2012
By Hermione Wright
The Tottenham Hotspur Foundation has been officially recognised for its commitment to helping children in care.
The under secretary of state for children and young families, MP Tim Loughton, arrived at White Hart Lane stadium on Thursday to congratulate the foundation for their work in helping children in care in Enfield, Haringey, Barnet and Waltham Forest to find work.
The Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, which is a charity run by the club, is dedicated to helping people in a series of projects but is particularly focussed on helping young people to find work.
Striker Jermain Defoe accepted the certificate from the MP on behalf of the Spurs charity, largely because he has been heavily involved in helping young people through his E18TEEN project.
Defoe acts as an ambassador and a role model for 16 to 19 year olds who are in care or leaving care in each of the four boroughs.
He said: “The hard work that has been put in over the past year is paying off.
"E18HTEEN is something that is close to my heart, giving something back and helping young people by trying to get them to do something constructive with their lives.
"It’s something I have enjoyed doing and today was special.”
The club received the FromCare2Work Quality Mark, which recognises the work of local authorities and employers who are committed to improving the employment opportunities of young people who are leaving care.
The MP said: “I congratulate Tottenham Hotspur Football Foundation on gaining the Quality Mark for their outstanding work with children leaving care in Barnet, Enfield, Haringey and Waltham Forest.
“Leaving a foster placement or children’s home and stepping out into the adult world is understandably daunting for many young people.
"It’s vital they get help to gain the skills and training they need to find a job and make their way in the world.”
Two young people benefiting from the striker’s project attended the ceremony, Charlotte and Finnean, who both achieved qualifications after becoming involved in E18HTEEN.
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