Freddie Hudson

Let me tell you a story about Freddie. Freddie would never tell you this story himself because Freddie is focussed on doing, not talking about doing. Freddie has worked for Arsenal Football Club for over 20 years as a leading member of Arsenal in the Community ('AIC'). Freddie has pioneered hundreds of projects to reach local young people who are socially excluded and face great challenges in reaching their own potential. Freddie (with his team!) has delivered over 5.5 million hours of local community initiatives and reached over 1 million participants. The harder a socially excluded young person is to reach the harder Freddie tries to reach out to them. Freddie demonstrates to everyone that he is thoughtful, respectful, empathetic and compassionate. He does not just try to be the best he can be, he IS the best that he can be. Freddie's work has quite literally touched countless lives. And of those lives he has touched many have turned that vital corner to become a strong part of our community again and to fulfill their potential. The projects Freddie has pioneered are far ranging including education programmes in local schools, a 'sport and learning programme' (full time alternative to mainstream education for young people who have become disengaged) and the regeneration of local facitlites including nurseries, football pitches and safe educational facitlities. Freddie inspires me personally to help grow the reach of his work leaving no stone unturned.