Community Foundation Day 2024 | Chloe's story
On October 19th, Cardiff City FC Community Foundation is taking centre stage at CCS.
Community Foundation Day 2024 is all about celebrating the amazing work of Cardiff City FC's official charity and raising awareness of the incredible impact they have in the community.
Cardiff City FC Community Foundation harness the power of football and Cardiff City FC to achieve three long term goals - to improve health and wellbeing, support learning and skills and to build stronger communities.
Behind each of these goals are meaningful and positive stories of those impacted by their work, made possible by generous contributions, meaningful partnerships and funding providers like the Premier League Charitable Fund.
Take a look as we rewind to Chloe's inspiring story. Last season, she was named our Premier League Community Captain in recognition of her dedication and outstanding work delivering the Premier League Primary Stars programme, especially in Special Education Needs (SEN) schools.
Multi-Sports Coach, Chloe, was born with no sight at all and later diagnosed with bilateral optic nerve hypoplasia at just 18 months old, a condition that under develops the optic discs and poses significant challenges to vision.
ONH is the underdevelopment of the Optic discs. The optic nerve is responsible for sending the message from your eyes to the brain letting you know what you are looking at. Chloe has also been diagnosed with macular hypoplasia, which will gradually take her sight over time.
Remarkably, she represented Wales in the under 16s basketball squad and was the only person to compete in the international tournament with a disability.
In 2019, another crucial member joined Chloe's team - Guide Dog Emily. This addition not only enhanced Chloe's daily life but also became an integral part of her journey at the Community Foundation and in their Primary Education programme.
Emily has proven to be an asset in enhancing Chloe's efforts to support the mental and physical well-being of children, particularly those with disabilities. Emily plays a crucial role in facilitating interactions with these children, contributing positively to their overall experience on the programme.
Chloe has made a significant impact in more than 12 schools for children with special educational needs. By building strong connections in the SEN community, she has successfully expanded their Premier League Primary Stars project and grown it into the valued provision it is today. Thanks to Chloe, these Schools now have access to the sensory room at Cardiff City Stadium to further enhance their opportunities.
Chloe also serves as the Goalkeeper Coach for Cardiff City FC Women's Under 19s and as Head Coach at Barry Town United Pan Disability FC – where she makes sure that everyone has a chance to play football, regardless of their disability.
Community Captains are chosen by all Clubs each year to highlight individuals who deserve recognition of their role in a community programme supported by the Premier League and are celebrated as part of their #MoreThanAGame campaign, which highlights the positive impact of their investment in clubs and communities to the lives of millions of people.
Thanks to the Premier League’s support, the duo were unveiled on a specially commissioned mural in the heart of Cardiff city centre, created to commemorate their impact on children and young individuals within Cardiff City FC communities.
Located on Quay Street, the mural stood as a testament to Chloe's remarkable message – “Your disability doesn’t define your ability.”
Chloe also provided insights into the design, considering the needs of those who are colour-blind as well the addition of a small 3D model installed at chest height. The mural was also enhanced with the addition of a braille plaque, ensuring even more individuals can access Chloe’s important message.
In celebration of her impact, Chloe also sat on the Premier League More Than A Game panel at the Tate Britain, to share her story and journey with the Community Foundation.
Chloe's efforts have significantly widened access to exercise, sport, and football for children in South Wales. Her commitment to diversity is evident in every aspect of her work, reinforcing the Foundation's dedication to changing lives and transforming communities.
Currently 104 professional football club charities from the National League to the Premier League run in-classroom Primary Stars sessions in local schools, with over 18 million attendances by primary school pupils.
The investment the Community Foundation receives from the Premier League and Premier League Charitable Fund is crucial for us to make a difference that lasts a lifetime, through both Chloe's work and their wider work, to help people in our communities achieve their full potential.
This season, in honour of Cardiff City FC's 125th anniversary, the Foundation aims to raise £125,000 to support the future of Cardiff City FC Community Foundation and to create a lasting impact on our communities.
That’s why we’re asking you to 'bring a pound to the ground' on Saturday! Your donation will help us continue their life-changing work, making a real difference to those who need it most.