Arsenal FC has launched a ‘No More Red’ campaign in partnership with Adidas to continue its support for preventing knife crime and youth violence. In this initiative, Adidas will provide a hand to Arsenal in the community’s long-standing process to keep the youth safe from knife crime and violence.
Between June 2020 and June 2021, there were over 10,000 knife crimes recorded in London.
‘No More Red’ will build on Arsenal in the community’s work with youngsters. They will also be providing more safe, positive spaces for those who are making a difference in their community.
Adidas will also deliver support throughout the initiative by investing in the creation and renovation of safe football environments, beginning with the pitch on Harvist Estate, which is just minutes away from the Emirates Stadium.
A ‘No More Red’ mentorship programme has been created in which creative talent such as Idris Elba, Ian Wright, DJ Emerald Rose Lewis, and artist Reuben Dangoor will support youngsters in doing good works in their communities. An opportunity will be given to youngsters to its talent network, which will make regular contributions to Arsenal in the community programmes that provide a variety of training, quality spaces, positive role models, and tangible opportunities.
For the campaign, Arsenal had replaced the red home shirt with an entirely white kit in the FA Cup match against Nottingham Forest. After the game, the jerseys were donated to community organisations that were working to address some of the root causes of knife crime and youth violence.
Idris Elba, the founder of Don’t Stab Your Future and mentor as part of No More Red said, “From the time young people leave school, until the time they’re at home with family, there is often a void, a dangerous spike of nothing to do, where nothing can easily turn to something dangerous.
“If there continues to be no options for this after-school period, we will always see gangs form. Let’s create options for these young people.”
Ian Wright, said, “Every young person deserves the opportunity to express themselves. The opportunity to exist within a safe environment. The opportunity to live free from fear of violence. We can never accept the loss of life through youth violence as ‘normal’ in our city and it’s so important that we all work together to create a better environment for young people.
“By giving young people more places to play sport, more support, and access to individuals who can inspire them, together we can help make a difference to young people in London.”