Arsenal skipper Thierry Henry has welcomed a new partnership providing investment to help tackle racism throughout Europe. The proceeds of the sales of 'Stand Up Speak Up' wristbands will now be invested by the Belgium based King Baudouin Foundation (KBF) in collaboration with individual national partner organisations. The Football Foundation, the UK's largest sports charity, has been selected as their national partner for the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. £1m will be distributed by the Football Foundation, funding a variety of tailor-made community programmes and initiatives to support projects that aim to combat racism in football.

Henry, welcomed the essential funding and urged organisations to join the fight against racism: "Football has made great strides to combat racism within the game but there is still more work to be done. Working alongside existing ant-racism organisations, the Stand Up Speak Up campaign has been designed to offer further support to anti racism projects, and now, by forming this partnership with the Football Foundation, we can all help to do something practical about it.

I urge organisations throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland to get in touch with the Foundation to apply for funds to enable them to continue or create projects within their communities. We need to drive home the message that racism in football and in society is unacceptable, together we can make a difference."

The Football Foundation is dedicated to revitalising the grass roots of the game, constructing modern football facilities, developing football as a force for social cohesion and as a vehicle for education in communities throughout the country. Funded by the Premier League, the Football Association, Sport England and the Government, the Foundation is the UK's largest sports charity, having already funded 1,300 projects worth over £300 million.

Interested groups and organisations should contact the Foundation via their website at www.footballfoundation.org.uk

THE KING BAUDOUIN FOUNDATION

The King Baudouin Foundation is a public benefit foundation founded in Belgium in 1976, the 25th year of the reign of King Baudouin. The Foundation is independent and pluralistic. They work to improve living conditions for the population. Its core programmes are: Social Justice, Civil Society, Governance and Funds & Contemporary Philanthropy. The King Baudouin Foundation relies on the generosity and solidarity of the general public, associations, businesses and the Belgian National Lottery. Smooth cooperation with local, regional, federal and international governments and with many partners in Belgium and abroad also helps ensure that their contributions are truly effective.

For further information about the general work of the King Baudouin Foundation visit the website www.kbs-frb.be