Bailey launches Dare to Care Foundation
Published:Wednesday | March 10, 2021 | 12:29 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
Well-known football manager Craig Butler estimates that it is going to cost approximately $120 million to build a state-of-the-art facility, which will also be the headquarters of the Leon Bailey Dare to Care Foundation, which was launched yesterday.
Butler, who is Bailey’s adopted father and manager, said the Jamaican international is committed to giving back to the disadvantaged, provide support for charities and bring awareness to the plight faced by children, orphans and those with physical and mental challenges.
Bailey was also confirmed as an ambassador for Special Olympics and Food For The Poor.
The structure, which will be based in Mona, will include a medical clinic, classrooms, stadium seating and an artificial turf field, costing more than $100 million.
“We plan to do it in Mona, where Phoenix (Academy) trains. We will be putting in a clinic, so doctors that have just completed their UWI internship can provide services, voluntarily, to kids who need access to healthcare,” Butler said.
“We will be putting in classrooms where the kids can have access to tablets and a proper turf field where we can do training. It will cost us around $80 million to complete the field and another $40 million to do the other infrastructure,” Butler commented.
He said support for the project has been forthcoming, as they have already received commitments from international supporters.
LOCAL SUPPORT
“We have contacts overseas, agents, players, clubs and other managers and we will be pushing to have them assist in their own way to help the Leon Bailey Dare to Care Foundation,” he said. “The foundation will also be more than happy to get as much support from local entities. So if other people want to come on board and help and donate to the Leon Bailey Foundation, we will be more than happy to work with them.”
“We believe that in the next six to eight months, we will have everything online,” he added.
Meanwhile, Butler said the Bayer Leverkusen star, Bailey, is looking forward to bringing awareness to discrimination against the less fortunate in his role as ambassador for Special Olympics and Food For The Poor.
“He (Bailey) has agreed to be an ambassador for Special Olympics in order to raise awareness of discrimination against those who are facing challenges. God has blessed him with the tools to make money and impact people’s lives, so it is important to help others as best as you can and be good role models and Leon is doing just that,” said Butler.