Hamilton visit revs-up Milan 2009 Homeless World Cup

Formula One World Champion and Vodafone ambassador Lewis Hamilton made a pit stop today at the Milan 2009 Homeless World Cup. During his trip to Italy for the Monza Grand Prix Lewis attended the event as a guest of Homeless World Cup funders, Vodafone Foundation. The Formula One World Champion had the opportunity to meet with players from each of 48 nations competing in this year’s tournament including host nation and two times Homeless World Cup champions Team Italia.

Speaking from the event, Vodafone ambassador Lewis Hamilton said: “Meeting the players here today has been a great experience and it’s inspiring to see how the power of sport can change people lives. Team Italia, as host nation, must be tournament favourite but I’ll be hoping for a Home nations win. Maybe between us we’ll be able to pull off a double victory in Italy this weekend.”

The Vodafone Foundation announced its support of the Homeless World Cup Foundation in 2008 with a £500,000 start-up package, to be granted over two years. The Homeless World Cup Foundation has used Vodafone Foundation funding to significantly grow the organisation, increasing the depth and breadth of its international football programme. In 2009 the Homeless World Cup Foundation announced six newly created posts, including a CEO, International Development Director and two Fundraising Managers as a result of Vodafone Foundation funding. This expansion has helped to facilitate the staging of the 2009 Milan Homeless World Cup and future tournaments.

The aims of the Homeless World Cup Foundation align directly with the Vodafone Foundation, particularly in using the power of sport to change lives and in supporting projects which encourage change from a grass roots level.