Cardiff City today announced the 'Thanks a Million' program where Cardiff City will donate £1m to local charities. The club will repeat the donation to further community organisations each year Vincent Tan is in charge and the club remains in the Premier League.
Representatives of the 50 or so charities selected by the club (following input from staff, management and players) to receive the money in the first year will attend the official launch at cardiff City Stadium on August 15th. Also in attendance will be the Chairman, manager and players of Cardiff City.
Speaking to the official website www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk , Tan Sri Vincent Tan said, “I firmly believe that Cardiff City’s promotion to the Premier League after a long fifty one year wait to play at the top level is a blessing – and with the grace of God we want to use this blessing positively to support the charitable organisations and disadvantaged members of the South Wales community, in particular in Cardiff and the valleys where most of our supporters are based.
“Our promotion to the best league in the world is by no means the result of one person, but the collective hardworking efforts of many good people, namely management, coaches, staff, players and most importantly the fans of this great club. Together we can look forward to the challenge and excitement of the season ahead, and for every year we remain in the Premier League and I remain the majority and controlling shareholder, all at Cardiff City Football Club are honoured to share our Premier League rewards with the local community, helping those in need.”
Cardiff City Chairman Mehmet Dalman added, “On behalf of all at Cardiff City I’d like to place on record my thanks and appreciation to Tan Sri Vincent Tan for this substantial million pound charity donation initiative. I am given to understand this is the first time a Premier League club is making a charitable effort of this nature, and if that is true, then as the Club Chairman, I am indeed happy and proud to be a part of it.”
“The club’s backing of community organisations across Cardiff and the valleys deserves great credit, which all of us are proud to be associated with. I am sure that this donation will be well received and utilised, while all at Cardiff City Football Club look forward to continuing our longstanding community support for years to come.”