Commemorating Sir Bobby Charlton
Sir Bobby Charlton, 1937-2023
Today is the first anniversary of the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton and, at Exceed Worldwide, we wish to mark the occasion by expressing our thanks to Sir Bobby for supporting our work in Cambodia through the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation.
Sir Bobby was renowned as a great footballer and a great humanitarian and support from the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation has helped Exceed to contribute to his vision of enabling people affected by war and conflict to enjoy healthy, fulfilled and empowered lives.
Speaking about Sir Bobby, Sisary Kheng, Cambodia Country Director, Exceed Worldwide said,’ I had the honour of presenting Exceed’s work to Sir Bobby and Lady Norma at the Foundation’s UK office in February 2020. His gentleness, vision for humanity and interest in supporting people in conflict-affected communities amazed me and, to mark the anniversary of his passing and his legacy, I would like to pledge Exceed’s ongoing commitment to support and provide new opportunities for people with disabilities in Cambodia.’
SBCF Trustee Jane Bateman (left) with Exceed’s Sisary Kheng (right) and a client in Phnom Penh.
In May 2024 Exceed unveiled a memorial to commemorate Sir Bobby’s life at our centre in Phnom Penh, at an event attended by Exceed CEO Carson Harte, HM British Ambassador to Cambodia, Dominic Williams, and Jane Bateman, Trustee of the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation.
SBCF Trustee Jane Bateman with Exceed CEO Carson Harte, British Ambassador to Cambodia Dominic Williams and Exceed staff.
This memorial will be an enduring reminder of Sir Bobby for Exceed staff, students and patients, but the most important element of his legacy will be the high quality services Exceed continues to provide for people who need prosthetic and orthotic support. Sir Bobby and the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation are playing a significant role in enabling us to deliver these services to people with disabilities across Cambodia.
Sir Bobby Charlton: One Year On - A Message From the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation
A year has passed since the world bid farewell to Sir Bobby Charlton, one of football’s greatest icons, but his enduring legacy continues to thrive through the work of The Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation.
The 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.
The Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation will continue to honour his memory and grow his legacy, making a positive difference to the lives of many.
New Exceed Worldwide Memorandum of Understanding with Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Exceed Worldwide has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Cambodia. This important agreement means that Exceed Worldwide has the framework to continue its work in Cambodia.
Exceed's Sisary Kheng with HE Kan Pharidh, Secretary of State of Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The MoU was collected from the Ministry on 17 October 2024 by Exceed Worldwide representatives Sisary Kheng (Cambodia Country Director) and Audrey Harte (Operations Manager) in a ceremony overseen by Cambodian Secretary of State, His Excellency Kan Pharidh, who generously spent more than 30 minutes talking with the Exceed when new MoU was handed over.
Mr Phon Sopheak, Director of Department; HE Kan Pharidh, Secretary of State; Ms. Op Sopheap, Deputy Director of Department of Foreign NGOs; Mr Heng Odom Officer in charge of Foreign NGOs
His Excellency was appointed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after serving as Cambodian Ambassador to the UK from 2020 to 2023 and was keen to share his experience of his time in the UK and learn more about the history of Exceed, and our work in Cambodia. Before the event concluded, Sisary Kheng invited His Excellency and his team to visit Exceed to see our services for people with disabilities in action and we look forward to welcoming him.
Exceed’s Audrey Harte, Sisary Kheng and Samphors Soun
Exceed’s Audrey Harte and Samphors Soun with HE Kan Pharidh, Secretary of State of Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Exceed Trustee Stephen Blatchford visits Cambodia
Stephen Blatchford, from Exceed Worldwide's Board of Trustees is in Cambodia this week, visiting Exceed centres in Phnom Penh and in rural Cambodia.
Stephen is using the visit to gain first hand experience of the work of the Exceed management team; meet teachers and students at DPO, Exceed's specialist prosthetic and orthotic school in Phnom Penh; join Exceed's community team to visit patients in rural areas and understand the journey of new and returning patients who visit Exceed clinics to receive new prostheses or orthoses or have devices repaired.
Stephen is a former CEO of the UK-based Blatchford group, one of the world's leading suppliers of prosthetic and orthotic devices and services.
UK Overseas Aid Budget at 17 Year Low
The Devex Newswire (3 October 2024) reports that UK Development Minister Anneliese Dodds has said that the UK will keep diverting its aid budget to cover refugee costs until reforms are in place.
Anneliese Dodds, Minister of State for Development, image © UK Parliament 2024
Devex says that the practice pushed UK aid spending to a 17-year low and that the aid diversion totalled $4.3 billion / $5.8 billion in 2023.
The U.K. has chosen to dip into its aid budget at a level far beyond any other donor nation and there is no indication that this situation will change any time soon.