The official launch of the Jason Roberts Foundation’s Health and Community hub last Sunday was a huge success, despite Blackburn Rovers star Jason Roberts regrettably being unable to attend due to training commitments.

Thankfully Queens Park Rangers’ striker, DJ Campbell was on hand throughout the day to sign autographs and have his photo taken with many admiring fans. On the morning of the launch Campbell Tweeted “On my way to the JRF shop launch to support my friend Jason Roberts on the brilliant work he has done for his Foundation.”

Jason said “DJ Campbell has always been a big supporter of the Foundation and I’m really grateful to him for taking the time out to attend our launch. I’m disappointed that I wasn’t able to go due to training, but look forward to spending some time at The Mall very soon.”

To celebrate the opening of their new hub, the Foundation hosted the launch event in association with DASH (Disablement Association Hillingdon) which saw visitors testing their shooting skills on the speed cage; receiving free pamper sessions and face-painting, and being entertained by a live steel band in the Market Square and music provided by Jon Blower from JayBees Entertainment (http://www.jaybeesentertainment.com) in the shop.

The Foundation was delighted to welcome the High Commissioner for Grenada, Her Excellency Ruth Elizabeth Rouse, during the celebrations. The High Commissioner said “I am confident that a lot can be achieved with this venture and the formation of a multitude of links which will be beneficial to the sporting world and the youth in Grenada and the UK.”

The Foundation was chosen by The Mall Uxbridge as their charity of choice in 2010/11 for their “Mall Cares” social responsibility programme. Earlier this year the Foundationwas provided with a retail space in the Mall, as a community base from which fund raising educational programmes and events can be organised and delivered.  The Foundation has already teamed up with Herbalife and Wallace Cameron, an organisation experienced in first aid training, to plan and deliver an exciting programme of health enhancing fundraising activities and events.

The Jason Roberts Foundation was established to educate and develop socially disadvantaged children through participation in sport and sports education.  The Foundation already runs a number of successful programmes for able and disabled bodied boys and girls in some of the most deprived areas in London.  Continued delivery of these programmes and expansion to other deserving target areas depends on sponsorship and fundraising by the Foundation, and the retail space in the Mall will provide an ideal outlet for fund raising activities to be delivered from.

Otis Roberts, CEO of the Foundation said, “I’d like to thank everyone who was involved in arranging and setting up this event, and for their work on the day in helping to make the launch such a success. It was great to see so many visitors from the local area and we really appreciate their support. Certainly from the feedback we received on the day, this Community hub has been well-received and we have been given more ideas as to how we can fully utilise the space that will benefit many people in the local community. We’re excited about what we can deliver from this hub.”

For more information or if you are able to help in any way please email info@jasonrobertsfoundation.org

If you would like to read more about the work of the Foundation please visit the website www.jasonrobertsfoundation.com