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Number 11 invite for Bobby Charlton’s landmine charity

Knutsford charity unveils goals at Downing Street reception

February 2015: England and Manchester United legend and founder of leading landmine charity, Find A Better Way, Sir Bobby Charlton CBE, will unveil its five year strategic plan to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and invited dignitaries at a special reception at Downing Street next week (4th March 2015). The Manchester United and England hero has been invited to Number 11 by the Rt. Hon. George Osborne with the charity’s trustees and key supporters to give the Chancellor an overview of the charity’s five year plan and outline its goals in progressing its ambition to continue to get rid of landmines, provide support for the victims of landmines and educate those who live under the threat of landmines. Established in 2011 by Sir Bobby following a visit to Cambodia during which the former midfielder saw first-hand the humanitarian damage that landmines continue to cause in war-torn countries, the charity’s aim is to utilise modern technological advances to help tackle the problem of detecting landmines and improve the lives of those affected. The charity works in three key areas, detection, protection and regeneration. Commenting on the invite to Number 11 Sir Bobby Charlton; “We are delighted that the Chancellor has taken such a great interest in our charity. Find a Better Way’s roots are firmly placed in his constituency in Knutsford and the Chancellor has supported our work since we launched in 2012 and followed our progress. He continued: “We are most grateful to him for his hospitality. We are looking forward to the opportunity to share our story so far and outline plans for the future with the Tatton MP and fellow supporters and key industry figures. We have made great strides over the last four years, money raised has been invested into research, development and education programmes that have helped improve the lives of thousands living with the horrific trauma caused by landmines.” To date, Find A Better Way has raised in excess of £4.5million and continues in its mission to rid the world of landmines by harnessing cutting edge technology. Earlier in the year the charity announced the launch of world-leading regenerative medicine programme with The Imperial College London into the regeneration of limbs for amputee victims. Sir Bobby will be joined at the reception by Manchester and Cheshire business leaders and leading academics from Manchester University who are working closely with the charity to develop mine detecting technologies. Key facts • Find A Better Way education programmes have reached 40,500 beneficiaries in 7 landmine affected countries • It would take 1,000 years to clear approx 110 million active landmines in 64 worldwide • Since its launch in 2011, FABW has raised in excess of £4.5million • During the last three years Find a Better Way has committed £3.1 million to innovative research projects led by the UK’s top universities

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Emma Beardsley .