Paul Clarke

Paul, 38, founder of The Great Football Giveaway charity, has dedicated his life to hand-deliver over 20,000 footballs to kids in the world's poorest countries & mentors UK volunteers to follow his example. A simple idea to take a bag of balls to Malawi in 2006 grew into an epic journey. Following prolonged fundraising efforts, Paul's mission was to get sports equipment directly to the world's poorest kids. Paul has witnessed extreme poverty in Malawi, navigated landmines in Angola, seen rehabilitation of child soldiers in Rwanda & smuggled balls across the border into war-torn Congo; doing whatever it takes to get balls directly to the kids. Paul is an inspiring individual to his local community; determined to help put smiles on kids' faces by ensuring no child is denied the simple pleasure of kicking a ball about. Paul represents the Olympic spirit of peace, hope, respect & friendship.