Jane Bateman, Trustee of the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation, has unveiled a memorial to mark the life and work of its founder Sir Bobby Charlton.
Sir Bobby was much-loved and admired as a footballer and humanitarian. The commemorative plaque was revealed at a ceremony at Exceed Worldwide’s Cambodia headquarters in Phnom Penh. The special event took place on 15th May 2024, attended by Ms Bateman, HM British Ambassador Dominic Williams, guests and Exceed Worldwide staff, including Chief Executive Carson Harte and Cambodia Country Director, Sisary Kheng.
After unveiling the memorial, Ms. Bateman said, ‘Cambodia had a special place in Sir Bobby’s heart. It is wonderful to see that his commitment to this country has been recognised with this permanent tribute. Our thanks go to Exceed Worldwide for helping us to continue his legacy of supporting victims of conflict”.
The Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation has supported Exceed since 2019. Their funding trained Prosthetic and Orthotic Technicians (POTs) and the provision of prostheses (artificial limbs) and orthoses (braces) to disadvantaged people.
Support from the Foundation provided POT scholarships for 30 students from 11 countries. POTs support Prosthetist Orthotists (POs) by manufacturing prostheses and orthoses, allowing POs to treat many more patients. POTs manufacture 500 devices per year and the work of these technicians brings mobility to hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities.
On behalf of Exceed Worldwide, Sisary Kheng, said, ‘We are delighted that Jane could join us today. Exceed has enormous regard for the Sir Bobby Foundation. Its support helps us to restore mobility to people with a disability and provide opportunities to access education, training and employment. This memorial will forever remind Exceed staff and visitors of our appreciation of Sir Bobby and the Foundation.’
In 2023-24, support from the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation enabled Exceed to supply over 800 prosthetic and orthotic devices to men, women and children in two, mainly rural areas of Cambodia. This programme, along with the POT training initiative, has made a major contribution to Exceed’s aim to equip, enable and empower people with disabilities.