The NI Football League were delighted to present representatives of White Ribbon NI with a cheque for £8,043 on Monday evening from the proceeds of this summer’s successful NIFL Charity Shield.

Won by Crusaders at Inver Park in July, the NIFL Charity Shield in partnership with White Ribbon NI proved a popular curtain raiser for the new football season, serving to give both Larne and Crusaders preparation for their respective European matches but also raising vital funds for the league’s official charity partner, White Ribbon NI.

The money presented was raised through ticket sales and fundraising collections outside the stadium on the day of the match.

Tahnee McCorry, CEO of White Ribbon NI said, “We’re over the moon with the money raised at the Charity Shield by NIFL fans! We want to thank everyone involved in such a successful event, as this donation will go a long way to supporting our ongoing work in challenging the attitudes and behaviours which lead violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland.”

Colin Kennedy, Chairman of the NI Football League said, “It’s a pleasure that we can continue on our ongoing support of the great work that White Ribbon NI undertake through this important donation

“Special credit must also go to Larne FC and their staff who volunteered their time to host the Charity Shield final without any overhead costs, to therefore ensuring that we could maximise the final amount raised for White Ribbon NI.”

White Ribbon NI are currently the official charity partner of the NI Football League since 2022 and has been set up to challenge the attitudes and behaviours which lead violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland.

Making the white ribbon pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women is a first step, a catalyst for conversation, encouraging everyone including men and boys, to individually and collectively take action and change behaviour.