To mark the Premier League Supports campaign, City in the Community is celebrating ‘One of Our Own’ – someone who has made an exceptional contribution to the Club’s charity over the years.
Deborah is currently celebrating 20 years working at Manchester City and City in the Community. Her journey began working as an Academy Secretary in 2002 before moving to the Club’s charity in 2008.
For the next ten years, Deborah worked across a range of community programmes focused on supporting young people with their education and employability skills. She also took on additional safeguarding duties; within which she thrived and excelled.
By 2018, Deborah was overseeing City in the Community’s safeguarding full-time. Now, as Safeguarding Manager, she is responsible for developing safeguarding across the charity; actively leading a positive culture towards safeguarding ensuring compliance within regulations and policy framework.
To celebrate her impact, Deborah was presented with her ‘One of Our Own’ award by Alex Williams earlier this week.
Commenting on the award, Deborah said: “I am absolutely blown away by this award from City in the Community and the Premier League.
“To be recognised for making such a positive impact on so many young people is rather overwhelming. I don’t do this job for awards, it’s to make a positive difference in people’s lives – and to be recognised for making that positive difference is really an honour and unexpected bonus.
“Our Safe at City programme has grown massively over the years wouldn’t be where it was if it wasn’t for the support and commitment from all of the team and our participants.
“To think that this job didn’t exist in the way it does today and the way it has developed is amazing and something I am very proud to be part of.
“THANK YOU so much!”
Head of City in the Community, Mike Geary, added: “Deborah is a cornerstone of City in the Community. Throughout her time at the charity, the impact she has made on the safety of young people in our city is just incredible.
“She is a role model to all around her and represents the Club and CITC to the most exemplary standards. She is always going above and beyond, creating engaging campaigns to keep safeguarding prominent for both staff and participants, doing everything with a ‘can-do’ attitude and smile on her face.
“Deborah is also a lifelong City fan, so I know that receiving this award will mean the world to her. I’d like to extend a thanks for all she has done to support CITC and our participants. Congratulations on this award!”
The Premier League Supports campaign aims to highlight the impact of its investment on wider football and communities, as well as announce new funding to benefit clubs and fans at all levels of the game.
During the campaign, clubs and their associated charities across the game are celebrating a person who has been involved in one of the programmes funded by the Premier League, which are delivered at community venues and schools across the country.
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: “The Premier League is proud to provide world-leading financial support for football at every level, helping thousands of clubs to have a positive impact on their local community.
“Our wide-ranging investment supports an array of programmes within communities and the ‘Premier League Supports’ campaign is an opportunity for clubs at all levels to celebrate the unsung heroes who help deliver or participate in this activity.
“The new funding announcements we are making highlight our commitment to deliver more support than ever before and will benefit the people and places that are the heartbeat of football up and down the country.
“The strength of the football pyramid in this country is unique and we will continue to look at new ways to support the entire game, directing funds where they are needed most.”
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